The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) says it is closely monitoring the situation where several Haitian nationals have been detained since October 2025 at the Temporary Detention Center for Foreign Citizens in Moscow.
The ministry said among those being held is the student, Slanda François, who like the others are to deportation orders or administrative detention.
Foreign Affairs Minister Raina Forbin, the relevant Russian authorities are currently taking the necessary administrative steps regarding the release of François.
Forbin said that as part of these repatriations, transit visas have already been obtained for the Haitian students concerned, allowing them to travel back to Haiti for their return.
The ministry said that as soon as it had been notified of the case in December 2025, diplomatic exchanges were initiated with the relevant authorities. It said during these exchanges, the Haitian government requested the release of the detained Haitians, confirmed its willingness to cover the costs of their repatriation, and proposed various travel routes to facilitate their return, as well as the issuance of the necessary transit visas.
The Ministry said it remains ‘fully engaged’ and will continue its discussions with the relevant authorities until this process is completed, reaffirming that all appropriate diplomatic means to protect and assist Haitian nationals abroad are being undertaken.