The Times has more on Mr Bushby’s woes.
They were detained by the Federal Security Service, the KGB’s successor, on April 1, shortly after reaching Russian soil. Both had business visas, but no permits to enter Chukotka, a restricted border area, and no passport entry stamps.
They aroused further suspicion because they were carrying satellite telephones, GPS navigation systems and a Colt Magnum .44 pistol. “We do not understand why they crossed the state border of the Russian Federation in the wrong place and armed,” General Vladimir Pronichev said.
How would someone crossing into this country, unauthorised and armed be treated, I wonder? I’m inclined to agree with General Pronichev here. One of the basic principles of travel it that one acquaints oneself with local customs and laws – not least, the entry requirements. Karl Bushby, for whatever reason, disobeyed those laws. Complaining about it afterwards doesn’t impress, I’m afraid – even if the media is tripping over itself to present him as a hard done by eccentric; a hangover from Britain’s quaint past where explorers trampled about the world, immune from local laws and customs (if not entirely immune from the spear, the club and the blow-pipe).
Mr Bushby’s father, Keith, said that he was disappointed, but not surprised by the verdict. “It brought the expedition to a halt and it reinforced the stereotype about that part of the world,”
Um, actually, it reinforces a somewhat different stereotype…