Two Belgian Tourists Detained in Polish Border Zone After Entering Restricted Area Near Russia
Polish border guards at the Branjevo post detained two Belgian tourists who illegally entered a restricted border strip on the Poland–Russia border. Each received a fine of 500 zloty.
Polish border guards detained two Belgian tourists last weekend at the Branjevo post, on the border between Poland and Russia. The pair had illegally entered a restricted border strip where access is limited. The frontier is also an external border of the European Union.
The detainees are a 40-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman. According to the border service, they completely ignored clearly visible information signs warning about the rules and bans that apply in the border zone.
Surveillance cameras recorded their presence in the restricted territory, and a Border Guard patrol arrived at the scene immediately.
Explanation: curiosity
After being detained, the tourists said they acted out of curiosity. They reportedly wanted very much to see the EU's external border and neighbouring Russia up close.
Fine and other cases
Each of the Belgian tourists was fined 500 zloty, roughly 115 euros, for breaking the rules in force.
Miroslav Aleksandrovich, a spokesperson for the Warmian-Masurian Border Guard unit, said that since the start of this year 53 people have been recorded breaking the law out of curiosity. They too wanted to see the Polish–Russian border from close range.
