In a hostel for 50 people, 440 places were booked. Visa intermediaries coordinated by a Belarusian are being tried in Poland

This time, testimony revealed how fictitious accommodation was reserved for them. The group was coordinated by Hrodna resident Aleh M., writes Most.

The prosecutor's office brought charges of aiding illegal crossing of the Polish border against 98 citizens of Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. Most of them agreed to voluntarily serve their sentences even before the start of the trial. In Poland, this is possible in cases where guilt and the circumstances of the crime are not in doubt. Such an agreement often leads to a lighter sentence. 11 people appeared in the main trial as defendants.

At the August 26 session, Vilius B. from Lithuania, who manages three hostels in Warsaw, testified. They were used by foreigners who came to Poland to work. The fee was from 800 to 950 zlotys per month (185-220 euros). The Lithuanian pleaded not guilty and assured that he conducted his activities in accordance with the law.

His testimony indicates that he was set up by his business partner — Serhiy from Ukraine, to whom he handed over the company's stamp. He placed stamps on confirmations of hostel bed bookings — this document was necessary for companies hiring foreigners. As a result, while the Lithuanian's hostels had about 50 free beds, the Ukrainian issued 440 booking confirmations. However, no one ever arrived using them.

Four types of visas

The investigation began with a report from the Polish consul in Hrodna. He drew attention to false employment declarations that were used to obtain work visas.

During the investigation, it was revealed that the group helped obtain four types of visas. Work visas were only one of them — to process them, 'legalizers' sent documents authorizing work, issued on behalf of non-existent companies.

The second type was guest visas. According to the rules, the inviting party must know the invited foreigner, is obliged to provide them with accommodation, and have the means to guarantee the guest decent living conditions. But the people who allegedly invited foreigners themselves did not know them and could not have supported them.

The third form of legalizing the entry of foreigners into Poland was cultural or educational visas. For this purpose, schools that did not actually provide educational services, and museums, were created on paper.

A Polish visa, arranged with the help of intermediaries, cost about 1,000 zlotys. Payment was made in dollars. The organizers of the scheme received about 700 zlotys profit (160 euros) from one visa.

• 0
• 0
• 0
• 1
• 0
• 0
• 0
• 0