« This is just racism »
Four men from Belarus were detained by police at Keflavik Airport for three days, but the men were released earlier today. The employer of the men said there was no explanation as to why the men were in custody.
Þórður Áskell Magnússon, another owner of Vélsmiðja Grundarfjörður and the employer of the men, says in a conversation with mbl.is that the handling of the men is the most serious he has encountered.
The men stayed for three days on timber benches in the departure hall of Leifstaðir according to Thórðr.
Crying the police about answers
Thórðr has repeatedly demanded answers from the police but no one received.
« They land on Sunday night and they are still at Keflavik Airport. No one knows why and we get no explanation, » says Thórðr.
According to Thórðr, the men did not receive their suitcases and hardly any food.
Says a visa have been missing
Bjarney Annelsdóttir, a police officer in the Suðurnes region, says the men have been missing a visa for nationality and therefore they did not fulfill the conditions for staying in Iceland. According to Bjarney, the men were in the airport rejection process.
Thórðr gives little explanation for Bjarney. No further data was provided while the men stayed at the airport, but Thórðr said he did not have an explanation of what data it was required by the authorities.
Thórðr says he is ashamed to be an Icelander after the treatment that humans were receiving.
Photo/Submitted
Professionals in their work
The men came to the country to build ski lodges and steel masks for Grundarfjörður’s Vélsmiðja.
Thórðr says the men are professionals in their field and it is difficult to find professional people in this job who chooses to work in Iceland.
The men intend to work in Iceland for three months. They have previously worked in Iceland for the same company without further trouble. According to Thórðr, the company has been in close cooperation with the Labor Inspectorate, which has confirmed that there are legally hired employees.
« There were all papers in particular, there was nothing on us to complain. »
Would not have happened to Dani or Germans
Thórðr says the men have not received any apology when they were entered into the country.
« This would never have been done to people from Denmark or Germany, it’s just racism. »
Thórðr says he is ashamed to be an Icelander and likens the scenario to cases that would happen in North Korea.
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