Kazakhstan refuses entry to U.S. Hare Krishna member
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 30 January 2009 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kazakhstan refuses entry to U.S. Hare Krishna member, 30 January 2009, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/49904c5b23.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 30, 2009
An American citizen representing the International Society for Krishna Consciousness was deported from Kazakhstan without explanation this week.
Govinda Svami was invited by Kazakh members of the Hare Krishna movement and arrived at Almaty airport from Moscow on January 27. But Kazakh officials confiscated his passport – even though it had a valid Kazakh visa – and did not allow him to enter the country.
Svami was forced to fly back to Moscow the same day and received his passport only when he was in Moscow.
Kazakh officials refused to comment on the incident.
Almaty Helsinki Committee Chairwoman Ninel Fokina told RFE/RL's Kazakh Service that the deportation of a foreigner can be carried out only with a court decision.
The Hare Krishna movement has been severely persecuted by Kazakh officials in recent years.
