Unlawful detension

[Mahmoud Dabo]

Dear Friends,
I need some help here. I had the worst day of my life yesterday when the Polish boarder authority at Gdansk airport locked me up in cell for 12 hours. The following is what happened;

Schengen zone is an area without controls at internal boarders formed by at least 25 of which Poland is part of. To enter the Schengen territory third-country nationals like myself must have valid travel document and visa. My passport is valid and I had the Schengen visa issued by the French (they are also in the Schengen zone) that should expired in December 2009. I have been to France two times without exceeding the 90 days stay at one period of time. My Partner who is 30 weeks pregnant and a Polish national and my self arrive at the Gdansk airport yesterday (14/10/09 @ 11: 15 am). As i had been always checked thoroughly and spend more time at the Polish borader than any other passenger, my partner allowed me to be attended first. I was told that they will not allow me to enter Poland because they have been excluded from my visa by France (i should not be allow to enter Poland). We explained that at our embarking point, London Luton airport we were told my visa is valid to travel but the Polish authority disagrees with that. So i was told that i will be returned to the UK where i am a resident to obtained another visa from the Polish embassy. We agrred to go back to the UK and the Polish authority stressed that i should be in a cell/prison until the next available plane is ready to take-off.

Our main purpose to visit the country is to see my partner's grand-dad who was battling prostate cancer and also to celebrate one year birthday for my godson. Unfortunately, today (15/10/09) my partner's grand-dad lost his battle against cancer and died without seeing us. The funeral is planned for Saturday (17/10/09), whilst at the Polish embassy in London we were told that the visa will only be issued to me on the Monday (19/10/09). This means that we will not see the old man before he will be laid to rest.

Look, i was locked-up for 12 hours and deprived from seeing someone we dearly loved.

[Yogesh Pagar]

I am shocked hearing your woes.
Did you contact U.K embassy (I guess you are a Britush citizen, right?)
If your travel itinerary was showing visit to Poland, then certainly your Schengen visa included Poland as well.

You must contact EU councel if possible, I am sure your case falls under Human Rights & against International law.

I shall try to find more info thry my network.

Do take best care,
Yogesh Pagar