Poland refuses entry to 10 Russian bikers

Polish border guards on Monday blocked entry into Poland for 10 Russian bikers who said they were following a path commemorating the Red Army victory’s over Nazi Germany 70 years ago.

Border guard spokesman Dariusz Sienicki announced the decision after members of the Night Wolves, a nationalistic Russian group loyal to President Vladimir Putin, approached the border and tried to enter Poland.

Polish authorities said last week they would ban entry for the group, with leaders calling their plans to ride through Poland as part of World War II commemorations a provocation. The Night Wolves vowed to enter anyway and 15 were seen Monday morning at the border crossing between Brest, Belarus, and Terespol, Poland.

Belarusian guards let them pass but they were then held in a hangar by Polish officials.

“These people will not cross into Poland. Each of them will individually receive a decision denying them entry into Poland’s territory,” Sienicki said.

Some Russian bikers had been seen entering Poland earlier but they appeared to belong to another organization whose members are allowed entry.

Many Poles view the Night Wolves with suspicion because the pro-Putin bikers have rallied against the Ukrainian government and celebrated Russia’s annexation of Crimea. The German government has also expressed unease at the bikers and said they would not be welcome.

“This is not a normal bike club. They are tools in the hand of Vladimir Putin to make propaganda,” said Tomasz Czuwara, spokesman for the Open Dialog Foundation, a Polish group that supports Ukraine.

— AP