500 Belarusians Fined For Transportation Of Foreigners Across Russia’s Border

In most cases, our compatriots gave a lift to citizens of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkmenistan and Lebanon.

In 2016, about 500 Belarusians were punished for the transportation of foreigners and stateless persons across the border with Russia. In most cases, our compatriots gave a lift to citizens of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkmenistan and Lebanon, the press service of the State Border Committee of Belarus informs.

In such a way foreigners tried to get on the territory of Russia without proper documents, and thus violated the Russian legislation. The Belarusians, who helped them for free or for money, also became offenders. As a rule, the Russians fined them 1,000 Russian rubles (32.5 Belarusian rubles).

The State Border Committee warns that, if law enforcement officers find out, that a Belarusian driver acts intentionally, the administrative case can be reclassified as a criminal one. The amount of fine is 200,000 Russian rubles (6,500 rubles), or the driver can be sent to prison for up to 2 years.

Another violation, which Belarusians committed last year, is travelling to Russia without documents. It carries a fines of 2000 - 5000 Russian rubles (65 - 162.5 Belarusian rubles) – and, possibly, deportation.