Elena Vyalbe called fencers Bida and Lokhanov who fled to the USA traitors
The President of the Russian Ski Racing Federation (FLGR) Elena Vyalbe condemned the escaped Russian fencers Sergei and Violetta Bida, as well as Konstantin Lokhanov in the United States. Her words are quoted by RIA Novosti.
Vyalbe called the athletes traitors and fools. “They are not needed anywhere, and no one likes them. This won’t last long. Even if something is done for them, it will not mean that they will become Americans,” she said.
Earlier it became known about the desire of fencers to obtain US citizenship. Sergei Bida and Lokhanov intend to qualify for the national team and go to the 2024 Olympic Games.
On December 26, 2023, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs put the Bida fencers on the wanted list. They face up to ten years in prison under Article 337 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Unauthorized abandonment of a unit or place of service”). At the time of his departure, Sergei Bida was listed in Dynamo Moscow and had the rank of ensign of the Russian Guard. His wife was previously a serviceman of the Ministry of Defense in the capital’s CSKA. Sabbatist Lokhanov moved to the USA in 2022.
Source: Lenta
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