New Urengoy opened for Russian citizens

February 6, 2013 the FSB department of Russia for the Kurgan and Tyumen regions reported that the authorities of Novy Urengoy removed the pass mode of entry into the city for citizens of Russia (now it is enough for them to present passport), for foreigners it continues to be valid. Control at the entrance to the border zone is preserved.

Recall that free entry to the city has been closed since the beginning of December 2012. Both migrants and Russian citizens could get to Novy Urengoy only with a pass from the employer or an invitation from relatives. Local authorities explained their actions by the need to combat illegal migration and the associated increase in crime. Head of the Countermeasures Center extremism, the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug referred to the activation in the region of cells of banned organizations, such as the Caucasus Emirate and "Hizb-ut-Tahrir". Novy Urengoy is one of the border zones Russian Federation, which allows the city administration, at its discretion, regulate the regime of entry into its territory. We believe that by closing the city, the city authorities abused this right: firstly, the regime for entering the border zones is not intended by law to regulate migration, secondly, the closure of the city is an absolutely disproportionate action to combat radical groups of any kind.

Sources

• Russians no longer need a special pass to enter Novy Urengoy // Region 89.rf. 2013. February 6.