Belarusian said to have had tourist visa issued by Italy is investigated over alleged attempt to attack Leipzig airport
Germany is urging its European partners to introduce tighter limitations on Russian citizens entering the EU on tourist visas, after recent sabotage attacks which Berlin has blamed on Moscow.
German authorities are investigating a Belarusian national, who also holds a Russian passport, over the alleged attempt to attack Leipzig airport using drones and explosives.
The man is alleged to have entered the Schengen area on a tourist visa issued by the Italian embassy in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. Security sources said he did not appear to have ever travelled through Italy.
Germany’s foreign ministry has complained that too many visas were being issued to Russians.
Because some countries in the EU rely on tourism for their finances and do not want to risk reducing that income, even if it concerns only a small number or Russians. Those countries have so far blocked proposals to stop granting visas.