The key facts

  • The Russian Embassy confirmed contact with the Turkish authorities and the detained Russian women
  • On October 23, 34 Russian women were detained in Ankara nightclubs on charges of 'violations of morality and public safety'
  • The detainees are being held at the 'Akyurt' deportation center; a source reported a deportation

The diplomatic mission confirmed it is working on the situation

The Russian Embassy in Turkey said it maintains contact both with the Turkish competent authorities and with the detained citizens 'in the interests of a prompt resolution of the situation.' This was reported by RIA Novosti, citing the press service of the diplomatic mission; the publication is reproduced by Gazeta.Ru.

What is known about the detentions

Earlier it was reported, that on October 23, during police raids on the Ankara nightclubs 'Maxim', 'Havana' and 'Folibenjer', 34 Russian women were detained. The Turkish authorities cited 'violations of morality and public safety' as the reason for the arrest. The women's smartphones were confiscated, but they were allowed to contact their relatives via a landline phone.

Where the detainees are and what is happening to them

The detainees are being held at the 'Akyurt' deportation center, and a Turkish lawyer is working with them. The embassy has taken measures to ensure the consul's access to the detainees. A source in the Turkish law enforcement agencies told RIA Novosti that the Russian women would be deported. The detainees themselves previously described what they had been doing in Turkey.

What remains unknown

The embassy's statement confirms only the fact of diplomatic work, but does not reveal its results: the publication does not specify the timeline for a resolution, the status of the case, or the final decision on deportation. The report of an impending deportation remains the words of an anonymous source and has not been officially confirmed.