11 Belarusian Karateka Were Detained In Poland During The World Championships

They were given eight days to leave.

In the Polish city of Bielsko-Biała, 11 Belarusians and four Russians were detained; they were allegedly planning to participate in the World Karate Championships.

According to Polish border guards, the athletes entered the country on tourist visas, which did not correspond to the stated purpose of their stay. They must now leave Poland within eight days, reports Most.

The World Karate Championships for cadets, juniors, and athletes under 21 took place in Bielsko-Biała from October 14 to 18.

According to the president of the Polish Karate Union Pavel Poltorzhetsky, the organizers had been informed in advance that athletes from Belarus and Russia would attempt to participate in the competition, despite restrictions imposed by the World Karate Federation and the Ministry of Sports. It was assumed that they were counting on being added to the list of participants after arriving in Poland. Poltorzecki’s comments were reported by Beskidzka24.

The first sign was the appearance of a Russian national at a referee training course. That’s when the first detention took place. Later, the organizers asked Polish border guards to check the athletes.

According to the press secretary of the Silesian Branch of the Polish Border Guard Szymon Mosticki, the checks were conducted over the weekend of October 17 and 18. Border guards determined that 11 Belarusian citizens and four Russians had entered the country on tourist visas that did not correspond to their stated purpose of stay.

All 15 athletes were detained. Following the inspection, the head of the border guard unit in Bielsko-Biała issued orders requiring them to leave Poland within eight days. According to Moszczycki, this is the shortest possible timeframe.

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