Ukrainian border guards warned: they will turn back tourists with St. George ribbons
On the eve of the May 9 holiday, the State Border Service of Ukraine released a propaganda video warning those entering from abroad about the ban on wearing the St. George ribbon, violation of which could result in a ban on entry into the country, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
In the video, the man approaches the control desk and hands the State Border Guard Service employee his passport, saying “Hello” in response to the Ukrainian greeting “Good afternoon.” At this moment, the girl’s expression changes, and she looks at the Russian-speaking guest with suspicion, noticing the St. George’s ribbon peeking out from under his jacket. After this, a vigilant employee puts a red stamp in the man’s international passport with the inscription “Entry to Ukraine is prohibited.”
“From mid-April until the celebration of Victory Day, the number of travelers-violators traditionally increases on the Ukrainian border, who boldly promote St. George’s (Guards) symbols (ribbons).
We remind you that the production and propaganda of the St. George (Guards) ribbon in Ukraine is an offense. For public use (including wearing) of a tape or its image, Article 173-3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses provides for a fine of fifty to one hundred and fifty non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens with confiscation of the tape or items containing its images.
Although the legislator has not yet determined which body or official should draw up protocols on such administrative violations (draft bill 9259, based on the results of consideration by the relevant Committee, was recommended for approval in the first reading), violators at the border do not go unpunished.
There are frequent cases of refusal of foreigners with St. George (Guards) ribbons to enter Ukraine with an entry ban (usually for 3 years). After such refusals, border guards send a message to the National Police about detection of signs of an offense,” the Ukrainian department said in a statement accompanying the video.
Let us recall that back in May 2017, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law that administrative liability (fine or arrest) is introduced for the production and wearing of the St. George ribbon in Ukraine.
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