The key facts
- An underage karate athlete from Russia and his father were detained by Poland's migration service at a hotel in Bielsko-Biala
- The teenager was unable to compete at the youth world championship (October 14–18); after questioning, the family was allowed to remain as spectators
- According to Polish media, 15 citizens of Russia and Belarus were detained in total; all were ordered to leave the country within eight days
Detention at the Hotel
In Poland, migration service officers detained an underage Russian karate athlete and his father right in their hotel room in the city of Bielsko-Biala, RT reports. According to the family, law enforcement officers came to them accompanied by a capture group. According to the authorities, the reason for the proceedings was a violation of the country's entry rules.
Trip to the World Championship
The Russians came to Bielsko-Biala for the youth karate world championship, held from October 14 to 18. For the trip, they obtained a tourist visa to Hungary and then reached Poland by land transport. The athlete's father, Aslan Gubashev, said that the organizers had allegedly promised to add his son to the list of participants after arrival. The family understood the possible risks but decided to take the chance to get into a major international competition. 'Such events are held once every two years. So we decided to take the risk,' he explained.
Outcome of the Proceedings
The very next morning after arrival, migration service officers came to the room. According to Gubashev, the family initially faced deportation, but after questioning, Polish border guards allowed them to stay at the competition as spectators. The teenager did not manage to compete in the tournament.
Mass Detention
Polish media reported the detention in Bielsko-Biala of 15 citizens of Russia and Belarus — four Russians and 11 Belarusians. According to the border service, the purpose of their trip did not correspond to the conditions of stay under tourist visas. All detainees were ordered to leave Poland within eight days.
Context
Earlier, Life.ru reported that the European Union is discussing new restrictions for Russian athletes, including tighter visa rules, sanctions against athletes, and financial pressure on international federations that admit Russians to competitions under national symbols. Similar problems had already arisen before major tournaments: the Netherlands refused visas to Olympic champions Angelina Melnikova and Viktoria Listunova, as well as gymnast Anna Kalmykova, which is why the athletes were unable to compete at the world championship in Rotterdam.
