Members of a Russian rock band critical of the war in Ukraine may be deported from Thailand after they were arrested on the resort island of Phuket for working without work permits, several officials told Reuters today.

Human rights activists fear that self-exiled rock band Bi-2 will face harsh penalties if sent back to Moscow.

The band known for condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with lead singer Igor Bortnik branded by Russian authorities as “foreign agentafter criticizing President Vladimir Putin online

The seven members of the rock band are being held at the Bangong immigration detention center after they were arrested on January 24 for working without work permits, Kriangrai Ariyanginng, director of the Phuket Immigration Office, told Reuters.

“This usually results in deportation to their country of origin, but there is some discretion (regarding destination)” said Kriangrai.

Sunai Fasuk, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch Thailand, said the band members “they will likely face severe persecution and great danger» if they are sent back to Russia for being dissidents.

“This case is a litmus test for Thailand’s compliance with fundamental human rights principles“, he said.

Other officials, who did not want to be identified because they are not authorized to speak to the media, told Reuters that the band members would request an alternative destination if they felt unsafe returning to Russia.

Band members with dual citizenship have the option to choose any other country they belong to as their country of origin, an official said.

Some members of the band hold dual citizenship of Israel and Australia, two countries in which the band was based before moving to Russia in 1999.

The command of Bi-2Israel’s embassy in Bangkok and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.