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Concerned about document checks on the streets/subway.

Way to Russia Talk Lounge Forum Index -> St. Petersburg

Author	Message
MrSpice Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431	Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 6:58 pm    Post subject: Concerned about document checks on the streets/subway. I heard from some people that visited Russia that there are frequent document checks on the subway stations and on the streets in St.Petersburg; and that they heard cases where people were detained by police without any reason (or because those people looked foreign/jewish) so that relatives had to come to rescue and bribe those people out of jail/detention. I understand that this happens rarely. I am also aware of the fact that I need to carry the original US passport on me in SpB all the time. I am curious if anyone was the victim of abuse by the Russian police and can share some information/advice on how to handle these situations. fyi: I was born in Russia and immigrated to the US many years ago, so I speak Russian fluently. But I am not sure whether this is something I should advertise when/if I am detained.
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Atomcat Lounge Lizard Joined: 30 Jul 2004 Posts: 187	Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 7:06 pm    Post subject: Chance are low. If you do there is a number you can phone which they will waste your time or you can bribe them. If you can speak Russian, I think you will have no problem. I think Uday carried a copy of his passport and told them that his original was getting registared at the hotel and that worked. PM him and he will tell you the whole story. I think Uday is a visible minority for Russia and he had no problems and neither Bryanboy who is also visible minority and dresses like "juicy coiture" , he had no problem. Me I just avoided them. If you are stopped, being friendly and nice and they will leave you alone. For them Bribing is extra income or Russian Police Service Foreigner A$$hole tax.
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AliceFromMoscow WayToRussified Joined: 10 Jul 2004 Posts: 411	Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 7:22 pm    Post subject: If you are entering as a russian citizen, then you should carry russian documents...
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MrSpice Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431	Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 8:09 pm    Post subject: Any other experiences? Does anyone have this happened to them?
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uday WayToRussified Joined: 26 Jul 2004 Posts: 323	Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 8:37 pm    Post subject: That only happens in moscow, if you have your docs you have nothing to worry about.
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MrSpice Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431	Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 10:07 pm    Post subject: I know of a person that this happened to in St.Petersburg. So, don't say it only happens in Moscow. Is Police in Piter more law abiding than in Moscow? I don't think so.
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