Poland has detained 15 Russian and Belarusian citizens who tried to take part in the youth world karate championships in Bielsko-Biała and ordered them to leave the country within eight days, Notes from Poland reports.
A Border Guard spokesman said the 11 Belarusians and four Russians had entered on tourist visas that did not match the real purpose of their visit. According to Gazeta Wyborcza, the visas were issued by other Schengen countries, as Poland does not grant tourist visas to Russians. The head of the Polish Karate Union said they had come despite warnings, and organisers asked the Border Guard to step in after a Russian turned up at a referees' course.
The World Karate Federation lets Russians and Belarusians compete as neutrals, but Poland bars them from events on its soil. It has previously lost two European junior weightlifting championships over the policy.
Source: Notes from Poland
