Moroccan Students Stranded as Flights to Russia Suspended Amid Tighter Restrictions

More than 80 people are stranded at Casablanca airport and do not know when and how to get to Russia. Yet, exceptional flights have been authorized for the repatriation of both Russian nationals and stranded Moroccans. Interviewed by L’opinion, Houda Nouaoui, a fourth-year medical student at Tambov University in Russia, explained that she was informed at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca that flights to Russia were suspended, without a convincing explanation. She says she is overwhelmed by the situation, as she meets the required conditions. And many are in the same situation.

In a widely circulated statement on social media, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Morocco stressed that "Moroccan citizens with a valid visa can arrive in Russia from Morocco either by a direct flight, or through Belarus, or by transiting through a country listed in a decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 635-p of March 16, 2020".

Despite these facilitations, many students continue to wander without knowing how to travel. "We have contacted the competent authorities to inquire about the reasons for this blockage, no follow-up has been given to our requests," laments another student.