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Been following Sofiane on his Eurosia crossing but hadnt noticed his lack of postings in the last few days and then I saw this today:
https://www.renehersecycles.com/sofiane-detained-in-russia/
Very concerning. Hoping he's freed quickly
Yeah, apparently he gambled poorly and crossed the border illegally after being turned back at a border crossing. Not the best idea.
Yeah, apparently he gambled poorly and crossed the border illegally after being turned back at a border crossing. Not the best idea.
That's pretty uncharitable. From the report, it seems like it would have been entirely legal to cross the border by train, and he presented himself at the same border control.
I'm hoping for the best for him.
Pretty uncharitable, but given the state of global politics Russia's border is one I'd want to approach with all 'i's dotted and 't's crossed. I hope they're left to get on with riding a bike promptly, all the same.
From what's been said, he did take a big gamble given it was entering Russia but, after 60+ days on the road and thousands of miles ridden, he had the end & WR in sight so i guess he thought it was worth the risk. Sounds like he had all the paperwork correct but arrived at the border control under his own steam rather than by train.
That's pretty uncharitable. From the report, it seems like it would have been entirely legal to cross the border by train, and he presented himself at the same border control.
I've been across a few borders where walking / biking isn't an acceptable method of transport at a particular control.
I'm hoping for the best for him
Same
He'd already attempted one border crossing and had been turned away.
I think when you've been pushing that hard for that long, and the options are try the border crossing and maybe get the record, or don't try the border crossing and definitely don't get the record, then... well, I'd probably make the same choice. I think it's unfortunate that it's ended up with being detained rather than turned away.
A bit foolhardy given there fact that everyone knows Russia is at war and even when it's not is a bit of a ****ed up state.
My missus is half Iranian, but there's no bloody way we're going to be visiting Iran anytime soon!
Another headache for the French foreign office to deal with. 🙁
Being half Iranian is the worst thing to be if you visit Iran, Alpin, because you if you are a national of the country you are visiting you can't rely on consular protection protection from your other country. I can rely on France to look after me anywhere in the world except the UK. But I won't be crossing any borders with unfriendly countries illegally and Sofiane was indeed "foolhardy".
Junior travelled through Iran in 1918 on a French passport and said they were the kindest most generous people he's ever met despite being poor themselves.
Junior travelled through Iran in 1918 on a French passport and said they were the kindest most generous people he's ever met despite being poor themselves.
Things were very different before the revolution though, and France was still a major power in the Levant
Does this belong in the "Is crowdfunding the new holiday insurance" thread? It's certainly closely related and I wonder if any contributors to both threads are consistent in their views of those involved.
Junior travelled through Iran in 1918
1918?
