MAY 30, 2007

Bahrain Grand Prix "illegals" still a problem

The authorities in Bahrain are still tracking down 700 people who are now living illegally inside the country, having entered the Gulf state on Formula 1 visas. More than 9000 visas were issued during the race weekend but when they had all expired, the authorities calculated that around 700 people had not left the country. The Gulf Daily News is reporting that the grace period for such people ran out on May 16 and that the authorities are confident that they will find them. Those who are caught will be prosecuted before being deported.

This is not the first time that the race has created immigration problems with reports a few years ago of large numbers of young Eastern European girls turning up to bolster the country's prostitution industry by pretending to be race fans.