Georgian smuggler caught in Poland after a year and a half!

Georgian smuggler caught in Poland after a year and a half!

A Georgian smuggler who was wanted on an EU arrest warrant was caught in Poland after a year and a half on the run. The arrest took place at the end of March 2025, and on Thursday last week the accused was extradited to Austria, where he was taken to the Korneuburg prison. The man confessed to having smuggled 14 people into the EU.

The arrest of the 34-year-old Georgian citizen stems from an incident on September 11, 2023, when the police were carrying out checks in the area of ​​the Hohenau an der March border crossing. A vehicle with a Polish license plate passed the police officers at excessive speed and only stopped about 500 meters later before the driver fled. When the vehicle was checked, 14 Turkish citizens were found, all of whom had applied for asylum. The suspected smuggler was finally caught thanks to international cooperation after the EU arrest warrant was executed in Poland on March 30, 2025.

Migration situations in the EU

The smuggler's arrest comes at a time when the EU is confronted with increasing numbers of migrants. In order to better respond to such situations, the European Parliament has adopted comprehensive reforms in asylum and migration management. A new package passed by 322 votes to 266 includes new rules to respond to sudden surges in migrant influxes.

The package includes, among other things, a revision of the Dublin rules to determine the Member State responsible for asylum applications, as well as a uniform framework for the recognition of refugee and subsidiary protection status. These measures are intended to ensure that all Member States ensure equivalent standards for the reception of asylum seekers.

Technical support and control

The new rules, which are specifically aimed at combating the instrumentalization of migrants by third countries or non-state actors, are also important. A central system for conviction information was approved by 414 votes to 182 to improve the efficiency of asylum procedures. Member States must also set up independent control mechanisms to ensure compliance with fundamental rights.

The new regulation, which affects asylum and migration management, will be partially implemented nationally by member states within the next two years. The aim is to speed up the procedures for asylum applications and at the same time increase security standards. Given recent developments and ongoing migration challenges, this is a crucial step to better address future challenges in Europe.

For more information on these developments, visit vienna.at, ORF and [European Parliament].