Italian newspaper "La Repubblica" reports: Rome police have arrested Italy's former ambassador to Uzbekistan, who is accused of illegally issuing Schengen visas to Russian citizens.
Piergiacomo Papadia served as Italy's ambassador to Uzbekistan from December 2024 to December 2025. Authorities state that he personally took charge of the visa department and transferred Tatiana Tarakanova—a dual citizen of Russia and Italy, who had previously worked with him at the Italian consulate in Moscow—to this department.
Investigations revealed that Papadia colluded with Tarakanova for personal gain, illegally issuing long-term Schengen visas to Russian citizens in exchange for payments ranging from 4,000 to 16,000 euros per person. Three Russian travel agencies registered at the same address in Moscow were involved in this illegal visa scheme.
At least 95 Russian citizens who obtained visas through these agencies have entered Italy using the improperly issued Schengen visas.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864772685861900/
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