More than 500 citizens of Tajikistan have been waiting for a week to enter Russia at the Zhaisan/Sagarchin border crossing point (BCP) on the Kazakhstan-Russia border – they are not being allowed entry by Russian border guards, Current Time reported on April 9.

Some were traveling from Tajikistan to Russia in personal cars.  Others had traveled from Russia to Kazakhstan for a few days to extend their legal stay in Russia, but on their return, the Russian border guards did not let the Tajik nationals back into the country.

Some Tajik nationals sent videos from the border to the editorial office of the Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service. 

According to them, about two hundred cars have gathered near the BCP.  The Tajik nationals say the Russian border guards are selectively not allowing citizens of Tajikistan to pass and are not explaining the reasons for refusing entry.

Some of them believe this is happening due to the inaction of the Tajik Embassy in Moscow.  The Tajik Embassy in Astana is not responding to journalists' calls.

“Some guys have been here for a week.  200 cars are standing, not passing,” says the author of one video.  “Look at our situation! Uzbeks passed, Kyrgyz passed because they have people in the embassies.  We have no one."

According to the stranded Tajik nationals, a diplomat from Kyrgyzstan recently visited the border crossing.  He reportedly said that a contraband mineral shipment was discovered at the border, and for this reason, Russia tightened control.

It is worth noting that border control for Tajik nationals has been tightened since the end of March 2024, after a terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Moscow oblast.  Since then, many airports have subjected Tajik nationals arriving in Russia to stringent checks, including the inspection of mobile phone contents.  Many were sent back to Tajikistan without explanation and banned from re-entering Russia.