Poland suspends diplomats in western Ukraine following corruption allegations
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
10.08.2012 14:34
Poland's foreign ministry has suspended a number of staff at its consulate in Lutsk, north-western Ukraine, amid allegations of corruption.
Lutsk Old Town: photo - wikipedia
In a statement released on Friday, the ministry affirmed that an inspection of the consul's visa department had revealed “a series of irregularities.”
Speaking for the ministry, chief press spokesman Marcin Bosacki stated that all members of staff responsible for the issuing of visas have been suspended.
“We are sorry that a number of our employees jeopardised the image of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our friendly relations with our neighbours,” Bosacki stressed.
“We apologise for their actions.”
Unconfirmed media reports have claimed that consular staff were vastly overcharging for visas, with a three-month Schengen zone pass allegedly going for 300 euros, while full-year visas went for 900 euros.
The ministry has not provided details at present, but it has confirmed that it had been aware that the case was being investigated by the prosecutor's office in Katowice, southern Poland.
Following media reports about a brewing scandal, the ministry decided to carry out its own inspection, a policy which the department acknowledges is irregular in such circumstances. (nh)