Leipzig explosive drone: Rome checks information on suspect

Reports about possible perpetrators

Leipzig explosive drone: Rome checks information on suspect

Italy wants to check whether a possible suspect in the Leipzig explosives drone case entered the EU on a tourist visa. An explosive discussion is brewing again at the EU level.

Italy wants to examine information that a possible participant in the suspected Russian attack attempt on the Leipzig/Halle Airport is said to have entered the EU on a tourist visa issued by Italy. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on the sidelines of an EU meeting in Ireland that all necessary investigations would now be carried out. In principle, there is a procedure for issuing visas and certain requirements must be met. If the persons concerned meet these requirements and there is no warning message about them, the visa will be issued.

Previously had NDRWDR and “Süddeutsche Zeitung” report that investigators from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) have now managed to identify suspects. “Zeit” reported that two suspects were being investigated. According to research by NDR, WDR and “SZ”, one of them is said to have entered the Schengen area with an Italian tourist visa. According to the authorities’ findings, the document was at an Italian diplomatic mission in Minsk at the end of April Belarus been issued.

At the EU foreign ministers meeting in Ireland The reports sparked new discussions about a possible tightening of visa rules. If it is true that one of the suspects traveled to the EU on an Italian tourist visa, then this shows very clearly that the EU can be harmed with the help of visas, said EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas.

Many member states have already pointed out in the past that such tourist visas would be used for acts of sabotage because the perpetrators would have to get into the European Union. She hopes that if the information is confirmed, there could be a tightening of the current visa restrictions. “Because this is actually about our own safety,” she said.

Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against the EU, Ukraine again and again about the visa rules for people Russia and partner states such as Belarus. They have already been tightened several times, but continue to allow EU states to issue numerous visas to tourists from these countries. For example, Italian, French and Spanish consulates in Russia recently issued a six-figure number of Schengen visas. Critics accuse the countries of not wanting to do without wealthy tourists.