Poland expels four Russians and 11 Belarusians who entered on tourist visas for a karate championship
Polish Border Guard officers detained 15 Russian and Belarusian citizens who apparently wanted to compete in a world karate championship in Bielsko-Biała. All were ordered to leave the country within eight days.
Poland's Border Guard has detained 15 citizens of Russia and Belarus who apparently intended to take part in the world karate championships for youth, junior and under-21 athletes. The event was held in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, from September 14 to 18. Eleven Belarusians and four Russians were detained, and all were ordered to leave the country within eight days.
Why they were detained
According to Border Guard spokesperson Szymon Mościcki, the detainees entered Poland on tourist visas that "did not match the stated purpose of their stay." Polish authorities had barred Russian athletes from the championship from the start. Piotr Borys, Poland's deputy minister of sport and tourism, said the country has a firm policy of keeping Russian athletes out of competitions held there.
Statements from organizers and the federation
The organizers say no Russian athletes had registered by the deadline. The Polish Karate Union announced as early as October 8 that the Russians would not come. Even so, organizers expected attempts to take part, and Union President Paweł Połtorzecki said they warned the Russians in advance through sporting contacts not to travel.
The Russian Karate Federation said it had anticipated the situation and had not recommended that anyone take part, but could not stand in the way of the athletes' own wishes. It said it knew about the ban and that the athletes were expelled because they entered on visas that did not cover the purpose of their visit. No one from the federation travelled to the event.
What is known about the Russians
The Russians being expelled have not been named. The outlet Vot Tak reported that students of the Oryol-Karat school were among those who wanted to attend. The school's administrators send aid to Russian troops and organize meetings between children and people who have taken part in the war.
