Detention in Bielsko-Biala
Polish border guards detained and expelled 15 Russian and Belarusian citizens who attempted to participate in the youth world karate championships in Bielsko-Biala. The group included 11 Belarusian citizens and four Russians who entered Poland using tourist visas. Border guard spokesman Szymon Moscicki said these visas were "inconsistent with the declared purpose of their stay in Poland." Authorities ordered the individuals to leave within eight days. This was "the shortest possible deadline," Moscicki told TVP. Pawel Poltorzecki, president of the Polish Karate Union, said the organization warned the athletes not to attend the event. The athletes sought to participate in the tournament despite warnings from the Polish Karate Union that they were not welcome, which prompted organizers to request that border guards conduct an inspection of the attendees. "The first sign was the appearance of a Russian at the refereeing course," Poltorzecki told TVP. Gazeta Wyborcza reported that the Russian karatekas obtained tourist visas from other European Schengen area countries because Poland does not issue tourist visas to Russians. TASS reported in early October that some Russian junior karatekas planned to compete in the tournament, even though the World Karate Federation allows Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under a neutral banner.
Policy and regional tensions
Poland maintains a strict policy against allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete on its territory. The country’s refusal to permit their participation is absolute, having previously banned them from a World Cup ski jumping event and lost its status as host for two European junior weightlifting championships. On 15 October, the day after the Bielsko-Biala championships began, TASS reported that Polish organizers denied registration to Russian athletes.
| Group Category | Number of individuals |
|---|---|
| Belarusian citizens | 11 |
| Russian citizens | 4 |
| Total expelled | 15 |
Poland provides military and humanitarian support to Kyiv and faces sabotage operations from Russia, such as arson attacks and an attempt to derail a train. Russia also violates Polish airspace using drones and missiles. In response to these aggressive actions, Poland shut down all Russian consulates on its territory, prompting Moscow to close all previously hosted Polish consulates. Russia also issued a warning to its citizens in January against traveling to Poland due to "Russophobia."
