Poland is currently grappling with a growing wave of crime linked to immigrants, particularly from Georgia. This issue has been highlighted by the country’s Interior Ministry, which has confirmed media reports that Georgian immigrants are playing a prominent role in rising crime rates. The Interior Minister has pointed to the “uncontrolled influx of migrants” during the tenure of the previous government as a contributing factor. The current government is now prioritizing actions such as the deportation of foreign criminals in an attempt to address this alarming situation.

According to a report published by Rzeczpospolita, a leading Polish daily newspaper, there has been a resurgence of violent organized crime in Poland, echoing the criminal activities that were common in the 1990s during the country’s post-communist transition. However, the report notes that these gangs are not composed of domestic criminals but have been largely replaced by foreign groups, with a significant number of them being from Georgia. The situation is considered particularly worrying, and experts have suggested that it could get worse once the ongoing war in Ukraine comes to an end. With the potential for easier access to weapons, criminal gangs in the region may become more violent.

Example of Georgian Involvement in Crime

The Rzeczpospolita article also highlighted some notable examples of criminal activities attributed to Georgian nationals. One of the most significant incidents involved a group of three Georgians who were arrested for allegedly stealing diamonds being transported in Warsaw. Another major crime involved a robbery of a currency exchange office in Wałbrzych, a city in Poland. There have also been reports of violent street robberies carried out by Georgians targeting private individuals. The newspaper also mentioned that the Georgian criminal activity tends to be brutal and reminiscent of terror-like actions, a sentiment echoed by Andrzej Mroczek, an expert in organized crime and terrorism.

Poland's Response to Rising Crime

In 2023, Polish authorities recorded a significant number of crimes committed by Georgian nationals. According to data from the police, 2,714 crimes were committed by Georgian citizens in that year. Among these, approximately 1,200 were related to drink driving, but the numbers are still alarmingly high considering that Georgians make up a small proportion of the population in Poland. Out of approximately 27,000 Georgians residing legally in Poland at the time, around one in ten had committed crimes. This is a stark contrast to the fact that Georgians represent only about 2.3% of all immigrants registered in Poland’s social insurance system.

In the first half of 2024 alone, out of a total of 8,940 crimes committed by foreigners in Poland, 1,071 (12%) were carried out by Georgians. This rising percentage of crimes attributed to Georgians, relative to their small proportion in the population, has raised serious concerns. The easy access to the Schengen Area for Georgian nationals, which allows them to stay in European Union countries for up to 90 days within a six-month period, has made it easier for them to enter Poland and other EU countries, potentially facilitating the movement of criminal groups.

Interior Minister’s Comments on the Situation

In an interview with Radio Zet, Poland’s Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak confirmed the concerns raised by the media reports, acknowledging that Poland is indeed dealing with “imported crime” and the resurgence of organized, violent crime. According to Siemoniak, Georgian citizens are standing out in a negative light due to their involvement in criminal activities. He assured that the government is taking significant steps to combat this problem, including increasing arrests, securing convictions, and expelling foreign criminals. The government has made it clear that this is a top priority for the police, and it aims to stamp out criminal groups, both domestic and foreign, from operating within Poland’s borders.

The minister also pointed to the problems caused by the uncontrolled influx of migrants in recent years, particularly under the previous government. He criticized the visa policy of the previous government, calling it “completely chaotic,” and noted that it had led to the sale of Polish visas, which allowed criminals to easily gain entry into the country. The current coalition government, which took office in December 2023, has accused the former national-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) government of contributing to this uncontrolled wave of migration, despite their tough rhetoric on immigration. In response, the current government has launched investigations into possible corruption within the visa system.

Efforts to Expel Foreign Criminals

Siemoniak also revealed that several thousand Georgian citizens have already been expelled from Poland, with over a hundred still in detention. However, he emphasized that the vast majority of Georgians living in Poland are honest citizens, and that the problem lies with a minority involved in criminal activities. The government’s efforts to expel these criminals are part of a broader strategy to ensure the safety and security of the Polish public. This includes cooperating with international law enforcement agencies to prevent criminal groups from crossing borders and to tackle organized crime on a wider scale.

Declining Crime Rates in Poland

Despite the rising concerns over Georgian criminal groups, a deeper look at the overall crime trends in Poland provides a more complex picture. A report from the news website Forsal noted that, while there has been a rise in crimes committed by immigrants, the overall crime rate in Poland has significantly decreased over the past two decades. For example, in 2004, over 50,000 robberies were reported, compared to just 4,000 in 2023. Similarly, assaults have dropped from 14,400 to 2,200 during the same period. These figures suggest that, while certain types of crimes are on the rise, the overall crime rate has been steadily declining in Poland.

Insights and Practical Advice

To address the growing issue of imported crime in Poland, experts suggest that a multifaceted approach is necessary. The Polish government must ensure that its immigration policies are stringent enough to prevent the entry of criminals while also supporting the integration of law-abiding immigrants into Polish society. This requires a more thorough vetting process for visa applicants and better enforcement of immigration laws to prevent the exploitation of the system by criminal groups.

Poland’s efforts to combat imported crime could also benefit from increased cooperation with other European Union countries. Since Georgians have easy access to the Schengen Area, criminal groups may be moving between countries with little difficulty. Strengthening regional cooperation between EU nations in tracking criminal activities, sharing intelligence, and carrying out joint operations can help mitigate this threat. Border security measures could also be enhanced to ensure that only those with valid reasons for entry are allowed to enter the country.

For Polish citizens, it is crucial to stay informed about the situation and be vigilant in their communities. While it is important to recognize that the vast majority of immigrants are law-abiding individuals, public safety efforts should be focused on preventing and addressing the activities of criminal elements. Reporting suspicious activities to local authorities and supporting initiatives that promote integration and community cohesion can help maintain safety in Poland’s diverse society.

Conclusion

The rise in “imported crime” linked to Georgian immigrants is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive and balanced response from both the Polish government and society. While the actions of criminal groups are troubling, it is important not to generalize or stigmatize entire immigrant communities. At the same time, the government must continue to prioritize the safety and security of its citizens by addressing criminal activities, strengthening immigration policies, and fostering international cooperation. By doing so, Poland can navigate this challenge while preserving its commitment to inclusivity and justice for all its residents.