“One week ago, the amount ranged from $ 700 to $ 1,000 per small group”
Three people were detained in Poland on Wednesday to help illegal migrants cross the border with Belarus . An official border service account says the suspect is a Russian citizen. We have learned from Belarusians themselves about who is helping migrants to cross the border and how much it costs. One of our partners lives in the town of Lida, which is near the Lithuanian border. The second comes from Grodno near the Polish border.
Photo: AP
Yegor is a native of Grodno, currently lives and works in Warsaw.
– According to the law of the republic, I do not have the right to cross state borders more than once every six months. Even though I have a residence permit in Poland, – says the man. – But I still manage to come to Belarus twice a year for a fake student and twice a year, allegedly for treatment under a fake medical agreement. So I go every two months. This speaks to the “vigilance” of the Belarusian border guards.
– Enough. By the way, the people of Grodno are mad at them. They behave quite boldly for tourists, according to official authorities.
In the summer, Belarus hastily opened many one-day travel agencies in the Middle East. For a symbolic fee of up to one and a half thousand dollars, tourist visas were issued to everyone. With this visa, the man flew to Belarus, where he was promised to cross the border into Europe. Then the migrant got a guide who also had to pay.
A week ago, prices ranged from $ 700 to $ 1,000 for a small group. My friend works at the Bruzgi-Kuznitsa checkpoint, where crowds of migrants have just gathered. I learned all the prices from him. He also said that specially trained people were accompanying illegal immigrants to Poland. The border guards let them pass by themselves, they got permission from above. In addition, they took a small commission from the group.
– This system worked for a long time until Lithuania brought kipish. This happened when the flow of those who wanted to cross the border sharply exceeded the capabilities of the conductors. It is one thing to hold five people and another to fifty. But the tap was already open and the flow of migrants was growing every day. The Belarusian authorities have only won here: they have the money and they have created a scandalous situation that they are trying to manipulate. And ordinary people are suffering.
– As I understand it, the Belarusian guides took the migrants to a certain place, pointed the way forward and left them to their fate. They didn't risk it themselves. It is no coincidence that many relatives of migrants who have arrived in Belarus are now searching for their loved ones on social networks and posting photos. Many are missing. And it is unrealistic to agree, let alone bribe the Polish border guard, to carry out an illegal immigrant.
– I will not say for the whole of Europe, but the police and border guards in Poland are different from the police and border guards in Belarus. In Poland, people serve. And it serves conscientiously. The police won't take anyone anyway. There is nowhere without a legal tower. And the population treats the police well. The police took me home in person when I accidentally fell asleep on the bus and drove into a jungle. You can go to the police and light a cigarette. Or ask for help, don't refuse. If you stand in line at the border for a long time, you can go and have coffee with the border in their room.
– Yesterday, a Polish friend of the border guard admitted that he was not against migrants in general, but everything should be in accordance with the law. They do not seek asylum with an ax in hand, breaking the state border. Why didn't visitors take a trip to an EU country where it would be enough to go to any police officer and ask for help? Why did they set out on such a difficult journey?
They turn out to be illegal immigrants who have been banned from entering Europe but who want to cheat. This is not necessary in Poland. Poles are also surprised by some of the issues currently being discussed in the country. We took a closer look at the clothes of the unfortunate migrants. We noticed that some of them have quite expensive branded jackets, included in the price of the mower in euros. Confused that they have constantly charged cell phones. Where does the electricity come from in the forest? And tents for 300 euros.
Interestingly, no one accuses them of mass processions in the cities of Minsk. They do not threaten deforestation with their finger. I do not pretend to be the ultimate truth, but the facts are cruel. And the migrants themselves do not hesitate to say that this is a planned event.
Our second partner Igor lives in the town of Lida near the border with Lithuania. The man shared his observations.
– Migrants first appeared on the People at the end of the summer. There are fewer of them now, – says Igor. – According to my observations, they fly to Minsk, then they are taken directly to Grodno, where there is a crossing to Poland.
We have “Benyakoni” – a checkpoint to Lithuania. There is still relative silence. If there are migrants, then in small groups of 4-6 people. They behave calmly, there are few of them, so they are afraid to draw attention to themselves.
Now they do not stay long at Lída. It doesn't make sense, the transition to Poland worries them more. Although last week I noticed about six people at the gas station. He was accompanied by a tall, strong man of Slavic appearance. He looks like a curator. He was in civilian clothes. I spoke English with them. They seem to be deciding where to go.
It is difficult for an ignorant person to get through Lithuania through the forests, you can get lost and there are swamps at every turn. So it is not possible without a competent accompanying person. Perhaps these comrades managed to cross the border through Lithuania, while all attention is focused on Poland.
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