By RIA Novosti
Novosibirsk : A Russian tourist earlier detained in Thailand on robbery charges that were later dropped is waiting for the criminal case opened against her to be formally closed before she can return home.
Ivanova, a resident of Irkutsk in east Siberia, flew to Thailand on vacation on November 19. She was later arrested by Thai police after being accused of taking part in the theft of passports and a video camera from other tourists.
Ivanova was subsequently released from jail, although forbidden from leaving Thailand, on December 7, after her relatives had posted $12,000 bail.
Thai authorities eventually dropped charges against Ivanova on Wednesday. Evidence of her involvement in a robbery was recognized as insufficient to bring her to trial.
“In line with Thai law, Natalya Ivanova will be able to return home after the case which was opened against her has been formally closed,” Alexei Bulkin, the embassy’s press attache, said.
He was unable to say how long this process would take.