On Thursday evening, two Russian citizens arrived at Kyiv’s Borispil Airport from Minsk.
In spite of having all necessary documents, the duo was denied entry to the country. St.George’s ribbons banned in Ukraine were on the tourists’ suitcases.
“When asked to remove these symbols, the Russians responded negatively,” the Border Service of Ukraine reports.
In light of this, border guards barred them from crossing the state border. The Russians had to take their baggage and fly back to Minsk. The case was also reported to the Ukrainian police. They may be charged with production and promotion of St. George rebbon (Article 173-3 of the Administrative Code of Ukraine).
“The State Border Service of Ukraine calls on guests and visitors to respect citizens of Ukraine and to respect and observe the laws of Ukraine. Otherwise, the guards will have to stop you from crossing the state border of Ukraine,” the statement reads.
Last year Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada passed the bill on banning the production and public use of Saint George ribbons. According to the bill, a fine will be imposed public use, demonstration or wearing of such ribbons or their images. In case of further violation, an offender may be fined again or even sentenced to up to 15 days in jail.
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Since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian military conflict, St. George ribbon has been the symbol of the occupation of Crimea, as well as pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas. Until recently, it was used in Belarus at the official level during the celebration of Victory Day, but later it was replaced with a ribbon in the national flag colours.
belsat.eu following dpsu.gov.ua
