American security services forced Igor Kochan, who heads the Russian Youth of America movement, to leave the United States, Russian World reports.
According to him, he was threatened with a criminal case and imprisonment. Igor Kochan said that he could have been accused of not registering as a foreign agent. At the same time, he believes that he cannot be the holder of such a status.
Igor Kochan added that in early May young people wanted to lay flowers at the monument to the soldiers of World War II. The action took place in New York. Before it began, the participants were approached by FBI officers, asked a lot of questions and made accusations of holding a political action. After that, representatives of the special service took away Kochan's phone, announcing that it was necessary for "search activities".
Igor Kochan emphasized that he had never been politically active and had never carried out orders of any foreign authorities. To honor the memory of fallen soldiers or to celebrate Pancake Day, one doesn't need someone's orders, he added, it's enough just to have a conscience and remember one's culture and history.
The phone was not returned to him, and the sad examples of Maria Butina and Elena Branson show that baseless accusations are very real, the compatriot added.
He did not wait for developments and left the U.S. for Russia. He is not going to return until the political situation changes overseas.
Kochan also said that the first time he encountered the FBI was four years ago. Then he was fired after representatives of the intelligence agency visited him at work. He has no doubt that the American authorities are purposefully pushing out Russian diaspora activists.
According to him, he was threatened with a criminal case and imprisonment. Igor Kochan said that he could have been accused of not registering as a foreign agent. At the same time, he believes that he cannot be the holder of such a status.
Igor Kochan added that in early May young people wanted to lay flowers at the monument to the soldiers of World War II. The action took place in New York. Before it began, the participants were approached by FBI officers, asked a lot of questions and made accusations of holding a political action. After that, representatives of the special service took away Kochan's phone, announcing that it was necessary for "search activities".
Igor Kochan emphasized that he had never been politically active and had never carried out orders of any foreign authorities. To honor the memory of fallen soldiers or to celebrate Pancake Day, one doesn't need someone's orders, he added, it's enough just to have a conscience and remember one's culture and history.
The phone was not returned to him, and the sad examples of Maria Butina and Elena Branson show that baseless accusations are very real, the compatriot added.
He did not wait for developments and left the U.S. for Russia. He is not going to return until the political situation changes overseas.
Kochan also said that the first time he encountered the FBI was four years ago. Then he was fired after representatives of the intelligence agency visited him at work. He has no doubt that the American authorities are purposefully pushing out Russian diaspora activists.