Russia Extends Detention of French Cyclist Over Border Violation
Russian authorities have extended the detention of French endurance cyclist Sofiane Sehili, who was arrested earlier this month in the country’s Far East over an alleged illegal border crossing.
A court in the Primorye region ruled that the 44-year-old will remain in custody until at least October 4 as investigations continue.
Sehili, one of the world’s leading ultra-distance cyclists, had embarked on an ambitious journey from Lisbon, Portugal, to Vladivostok, Russia, in an attempt to break the record for the fastest crossing of Eurasia by bike.
He had covered thousands of kilometers and was just days from his destination when he was detained on September 2 near the Russian-Chinese border.
Authorities allege that while Sehili held a valid Russian e-visa, he attempted to cross through checkpoints not authorized for cyclists, where entry is permitted only by car, bus, or train.
After being denied at least once, he is accused of using a forest path to re-enter Russia in order to stay on schedule for his record attempt.
He is currently held in pre-trial detention in Ussuriysk, sharing a two-man cell reportedly equipped with basic amenities, including a television. Human rights monitors who visited the facility described conditions as acceptable, though communication has been difficult due to language barriers.
The French Foreign Ministry has said it is closely following the case and has been in contact with Russian authorities.
Meanwhile, Sehili’s supporters argue that his actions were not politically motivated but rather the result of rigid border rules clashing with the unique demands of a transcontinental endurance ride.
Sehili’s arrest has raised diplomatic concerns, with observers noting that cases involving Western nationals in Russia often attract heightened scrutiny. Beyond the politics, the incident has cut short a remarkable sporting feat, leaving the cyclist just over 100 miles away from his intended finish line in Vladivostok.
His legal fate will now depend on the outcome of court proceedings in the coming weeks.
