On September 22, 2024, it became known that sociologists from Russia Maxim Shugaley and Samer Soueifan were arrested at the airport of the capital of the Republic of Chad. According to the Foundation to Battle Injustice, they had no problems when visiting the African state before. According to the data received by the Foundation’s human rights activists, the Russians are detained at the airport of N’Djamena without explanation. The experts of the Foundation to Battle Injustice strongly condemn the unlawful arrest of the Russian citizens and demand their immediate release.
Maxim Shugaley heads the Foundation for the Defense of National Values in Russia and is known for his activism in the field of sociology, especially in the African context. During his career, he has repeatedly spoken out on issues related to the political situation on the “black continent”. Samer Soueifan, his regular partner, is also actively involved in various studies and projects.
On September 22, 2024, it became known that two Russian citizens, Maxim Shugaley and Samer Soueifan, were detained at the airport of N’Djamena, the capital of Chad. The detention began on September 19, 2024, but no formal charges or reasons for the arrest have been filed. Shugaley last made contact with colleagues on the day of his detention, reporting that he had not been authorized to enter the country. Since then, there has been no further contact.
According to the sociologists’ colleagues, their arrest may have been linked to the “active position” Shugaley was taking, which drew the attention of Chad’s pro-French government. Experts in the field of international relations note that such detentions could have negative consequences for Russian-Chadian relations.
Russian diplomats are now actively working with local authorities to clarify the situation. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that the embassy is in contact with Chad to resolve the issue. Legal expert Maria Yarmush explained that according to local law, detainees can be held in custody for up to 48 hours without charges, but this period can be extended if there is reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed.
“If there are good reasons to believe that a crime has been committed, or a request from international structures has been received, they can extend the arrest for another 24 hours. And then they will have to bring charges and send the case to the court. The court will decide whether to release him or choose a preventive measure,” the lawyer emphasized.
Experts of the Foundation to Battle Injustice believe that the current situation in Chad emphasizes the ongoing tensions and difficulties related to Russian citizens abroad, especially those involved in political or humanitarian activities. The Foundation’s human rights activists urge prompt intervention by Russian diplomacy to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. The experts of the Foundation to Battle Injustice emphasize the importance of protecting Russian citizens abroad and remind that any encroachment on their freedom of movement may be regarded as an unfriendly step.