Jasikonis’ visa problems
By Team TMX on 1st Mar 17
Arminas Jasikonis was forced to miss the season-opener in Qatar the Lithuanian was refused entry into the country at Doha airport because he did not hold a valid visa.
After being stranded in the airport for more than 24 hours he was eventually escorted onto a plane by police at 2am on Friday.
He had expected to obtain his entry visa on arrival at the airport, a service available to citizens of most EU countries. However, the list of approved nations hasn't been updated since the end of the Cold War nearly 30 years ago and natives of ex-Soviet countries like the Baltic states and Slovenia are not included.
Two years ago Tim Gajser was only admitted after a hectic chase all over Europe to find a Qatari consulate willing to issue the papers quickly and Jasikonis should never have been allowed to board the plane from Europe on Wednesday.
