Law enforcement conducted a raid on migrants at a local market in Moscow

Russian security forces conducted another raid on migrants from Central Asia, including Tajikistan, at the Novoyasenevsky market in Moscow on June 20, located near the “Tepliy Stan” metro station.

According to eyewitnesses, the security forces conducted the checks in a humiliating manner – some market workers were thrown to the ground and lay in the premises with their hands behind their heads. Those with proper documents were released, while some migrants were taken away in police vans to an unknown destination.

The Telegram channel Baza, which is reportedly linked to Russian authorities, states that market workers were lined up under a canopy on the street and their documents were checked, with the aim of identifying individuals wanted or suspected of crimes.

The fight against illegal migration in Russia has noticeably intensified following the terrorist attack at “Krokus City Hall,” in which several citizens of Tajikistan are suspected of involvement.

In a video sent to Radio Ozodi, a female migrant’s voice can be heard saying: “They detained all the Tajik guys.” At that time, the security forces ordered the migrants to “lie on the floor.” The video shows several migrants lying on the floor with their hands behind their heads. The police loudly shout instructions on what they should do. Two women stand in confusion – one holding a child, the other barefoot, seemingly not knowing where to go. In the video, a female migrant expresses concern, saying: “They took my husband.”

Eyewitnesses reported that the raid primarily targeted migrants from Tajikistan.

In recent months, checks and pressure on migrants in Russia have intensified. According to Russian media, in addition to raids, lawmakers are also proposing legislative initiatives. Recently, the State Duma passed a whole package of bills in the first reading aimed at strengthening state control in the field of migration. In particular, the project provides for granting police the authority to deport illegal migrants independently, without a court decision. The duration of stay for migrants in Russia is also proposed to be reduced to 90 days within a year.