Polish embassy in Paris 'ignores' shelter plea from Polish national

A Polish journalist seeking protection once news of terrorist attacks in the French capital began surfacing claims his request for refuge was turned down by Poland's diplomatic outpost.

Marcin Dobrowolski, a journalist with daily Puls Biznesu, called the embassy minutes past 11 pm local time, shortly after the media released news reports about what later emerged as the first in a series of shootings and explosions erupting across Paris.

Dobrowolski learned about the outbreak of violence after leaving a party in the city center. He shared an account of the exchange with embassy's staff that followed on Facebook.

"Our first thought was to return home as fast as possible, but once we found out that the attacks occurred close to an apartment we were renting, I came up with the idea of turning to the embassy (as we were eight minutes away from the building), [assuming that] someone would probably be there to help," the journalist wrote on his profile of the social networking website.

According to his account, Dobrowolski dialed the embassy's after-hours emergency number and reached the consul. "I introduced myself and said that we were headed for the embassy, we request admittance as we don't know what to do," he recounted.

The Polish national wrote that he was denied access to the embassy compounds and warned "not to stay on the streets." Dobrowolski, who said he repeatedly told the consul he was just meters away from the building, was apparently advised to take a taxi to a hotel.

Shortly after the journalist found safety in a hotel, gunfire was reported at the Les Halles shopping mall, a fourth incident in the city now believed to be a false alarm.

According to a communiqué released by the Foreign Ministry, later that night the Polish embassy launched an emergency line for Polish nationals.

Citizens seeking immediate intervention or consular assistance may reach embassy personnel on duty by calling +33680580220. (aba)

Source: WP