Poland wants changes to Interpol arrest system

photo - alesalevic.org

The Ministry of Interior and the Foreign Ministry hopes to prevent Interpol's system from being exploited for political ends, so as to avoid a repeat performance of Monday's incident.

Michalevic had stood in Belarus's allegedly rigged presidential elections last December, and was in transit to London when he was detained at Warsaw airport.

The arrest caused some embarrassment for Poland, as the detained man had previously been championed by Poland as a freedom-fighter.

His arrest occurred owing to the fact that border guards noticed Michalevic's name on Interpol, of which Belarus is one of the 190 member countries.

A preliminary meeting took place on Wednesday between representatives of the aforementioned ministries, together with Polish police chiefs.

“The participants in the meeting put forward proposals about a new style of procedure that will prevent the exploitation of Interpol for political aims, particularly for those attacking the [political] opposition,” said Malgorzata Wozniak, a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior.

Michalevic was released shortly after his detainment, and Poland's Foreign Ministry paid for a new air ticket, so that he could continue his journey to London. (nh/pg)

Source: PAP