Bailiff Service by the decision of the Sverdlovsk District Court of Kostroma deports a famous American photographer Craig Ricker home in connection with violations of immigration law, representative of Federal Bailiff Service said to «7x7».
According to the department, Migration Service expressed a claim to the photographer as found violations in the actions of the American. In 2013, he once again moved into Russia with multiple business visa, which is valid until 20 December 2015. Besides, visa holder had to leave the country every six months. Visa center had to notify him. However, absent-mindedly the American misunderstood new conditions and missed the due time of departure. After that security forces came to his apartment and took him to an immigration detention center, which is located on Rabochy prospect in Kostroma.
“When they came for me, I was shocked. I didn’t understand what was happening. But now I was told that I made a mistake and now I have to be deported by the court. It is very unusual for me to be in captivity. Of course, the guards feel sorry for me as for a "golden prisoner" and even let out for a walk. But still, I am in isolation and can’t leave this place. I won’t appeal the decision and argue. The best thing I can do is to accept it and to leave Russia, where I lived for many years, as soon as possible. There has been an unfortunate misunderstanding, I am very sorry,” Craig told the correspondent of «7x7».
One of the works of photographer Craig Ricker.
He said that recently the TV channel "Culture" has released a movie about him, and his guards have already managed to watch it. They let his friends pass who bring him water and fruits. Craig said he hoped that his forced detention will soon be over.
“I want to leave as soon as possible, so as not to create problems to anybody. Returning to California, I'll be referring to the Russian consulate with a request to allow me to go back to Russia, which I really love and where I have so many good friends. Everyone calls me, asking if they can help. But the problem is that there is nothing to be done: I made a mistake, I am guilty,” Craig told.
Federal Bailiff Service explained that the administrative expulsion of the American could take place in March, when all the necessary formalities will be settled and tickets — bought. All the while, the photographer will be in isolation.
“We inquired. He's a good man, but broke the law, and the law is one for all. Believe me, none is getting pleasure of this story,” Federal Bailiff Service said.
Photographer and writer Craig Ricker lives in Kostroma for nearly 20 years. Over the years he has become a true landmark of the city. He alone has learnt the Russian language, gave English lessons to local students, organized photo exhibitions, held free workshops on the art of photography for children and adolescents in Kostroma and districts.
Newspaper with a story about a bike tour of Craig Ricker in the US territory.
He is famous for the fact that in order to understand the enigmatic Russian character he bought a wooden hut near Kostroma and lived there for two winters, managing to survive with $25 a month and at the same time helping the locals to whom became good friends.
During the years of his stay in Russia Craig collected materials and wrote a crime drama called «Stroma», which action unfolds in 1990 in the town very similar to Kostroma. At present, the book of Craig, reminiscent of the style of Gogol's comedy "Revizor", is translated into Russian, put into a printing house and in the near future was supposed to be out of print.
In recent months, Craig negotiated with one of the Kostroma theaters about the possibility of staging the play after his book on the Kostroma scene. Many Kostroma actors, who were the heroes of portrait photography exhibitions of Craig, expressed their willingness to play the role in a new play.
