Poland orders four Russians and 11 Belarusians to leave after they enter on tourist visas, apparently hoping to compete at a world karate championship
Polish Border Guard officers detained 15 Russian and Belarusian citizens who apparently intended to compete in the world karate championships for youth, junior, and under-21 athletes in Bielsko-Biała.
Polish authorities have ordered 15 individuals — 11 Belarusians and four Russians — to leave the country within eight days, according to a report. The detained citizens had entered Poland on tourist visas to participate in the world karate championships for youth, junior, and under-21 athletes in Bielsko-Biała, a location set for September 14 to 18.
Polish Border Guard spokesperson Szymon Mościcki clarified that the tourists' stated purpose did not align with their tourist visas. The Russian Karate Federation had anticipated this situation and had not recommended participation, but could not stop individual athletes from entering. Poland had previously barred Russian athletes from competing.
Despite advance warnings from Polish Karate Union President Paweł Połtorzecki, Russian athletes reportedly entered the country. The Russian Karate Federation cited the ban as the reason for the athletes' expulsion.
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