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Active: 1340 users

Brat_OK's visa troubles?

Forum Index > SC2 General
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AmiPolizeiFunk
Profile Joined May 2010
Germany804 Posts
November 27 2010 14:59 GMT
#1
Ok, what's the story on this guy? He's one of the best players in Europe/Asia, and yet, twice, he has failed to show up at major events (IEM Cologne and now Dreamhack) because of "visa troubles". What's the story? I know it's difficult dealing with the Russian bureaucracy (I once had to wait 2 weeks to get a visa to go to St.Petersburg for 3 days), but c'mon? Does the guy have a criminal record or something?

Somebody should do an expose on this and get the down and dirty. Inquiring minds want to know.
frd
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
France164 Posts
November 27 2010 15:01 GMT
#2
Clearly, he is a terrorist.
Phonics
Profile Joined October 2010
114 Posts
November 27 2010 15:02 GMT
#3
I'd go ahead and say that his criminal history is probably none of your business.
[SuNdae]
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Finland323 Posts
November 27 2010 15:03 GMT
#4
It's not about the Russian bureaucracy if you want a visa to the EU, they have nothing to do with it. You make an application to the embassy of the country you wish to visit and whether they give you one is up to them.
maybe
Profile Joined January 2008
257 Posts
November 27 2010 15:03 GMT
#5
its not only happened twice, theres always been problems sending top russians to international events (WCG,Blizzcon etc.)
my guess is it has to do something with theire criminal records
OPSavioR
Profile Joined March 2010
Sweden1465 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-27 15:06:55
November 27 2010 15:06 GMT
#6
I dont think a starcarft nerd can be a terrorist.
i dunno lol
gm.tOSS
Profile Joined September 2005
Germany898 Posts
November 27 2010 15:18 GMT
#7
On November 28 2010 00:03 maybe wrote:
my guess is it has to do something with theire criminal records

Cheap call based on nothing but prejudice.
HuK HuK HuK | ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ | There is death in the hane.
Gryffes
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United Kingdom763 Posts
November 27 2010 15:18 GMT
#8
Clearly he should emigrate to a more well regarded country.
www.youtube.com/gryffes - Random Gaming Videos.
NarutO
Profile Blog Joined December 2006
Germany18839 Posts
November 27 2010 15:19 GMT
#9
It could be because he was in the Russian Army ;-)
CommentatorPolt | MMA | Jjakji | BoxeR | NaDa | MVP | MKP ... truly inspiring.
AmiPolizeiFunk
Profile Joined May 2010
Germany804 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-27 15:23:49
November 27 2010 15:22 GMT
#10
So how does this all work, exactly? He applies to Swedish embassy in Russia, then they do some kind of background check on him, to decide whether or not to give him a Visa? They contact the Russian authorities? Some computer database? What kind of window do they give you as far as time... as in, how long in advance do you have to apply?
Too_MuchZerg
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
Finland2818 Posts
November 27 2010 15:22 GMT
#11
Well they should just apply visa to Finland and then travel inside EU borders. Its much easier getting visa then. Some russian WC3 players did that when having problems getting visa to germany
AmiPolizeiFunk
Profile Joined May 2010
Germany804 Posts
November 27 2010 15:24 GMT
#12
Heh funny you mention that, because that's actually what I did when I went to St. Petersburg. First I went to Finland, and applied at the Russian embassy in Helsinki.
AVV
Profile Joined October 2010
Russian Federation20 Posts
November 27 2010 15:28 GMT
#13
nobody knows what the hell is with those visas. rox.kis menegers don`t say anything about it. i think the main reason is that he hasn`t got a job.
Numy
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
South Africa35471 Posts
November 27 2010 15:31 GMT
#14
On November 28 2010 00:19 G.s)NarutO wrote:
It could be because he was in the Russian Army ;-)


I think that is the case ;(
MiraKul
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Malaysia498 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-27 15:35:48
November 27 2010 15:35 GMT
#15
for IEM visa troubles : ANSWERS
ovrpwrd
Asta
Profile Joined October 2002
Germany3491 Posts
November 27 2010 15:35 GMT
#16
There's barely been an international event without Visa troubles. Normally I would suspect that it's mostly a question of time, i.e. you have to apply at least one month ahead (or maybe pay a nice fee to get it faster) and you have to have a valid passport (getting a new one takes even longer), etc. etc.
Nyx
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Rwanda460 Posts
November 27 2010 15:36 GMT
#17
On November 28 2010 00:35 MiraKul wrote:
for IEM visa troubles : ANSWERS


Yup, and his second failed application was because of his first.
LittLeD
Profile Joined May 2010
Sweden7973 Posts
November 27 2010 15:37 GMT
#18
I was the same for Wc3 player Happy when he tried to attend different tournaments. I dunno why, but it seems Russians are having a hard time participating in foreign events.
☆Grubby ☆| Tod|DeMusliM|ThorZaiN|SaSe|Moon|Mana| ☆HerO ☆
razy
Profile Joined February 2010
Russian Federation899 Posts
November 27 2010 15:47 GMT
#19
On November 28 2010 00:03 maybe wrote:
my guess is it has to do something with theire criminal records


xDD
srsly guys ^^ he is like one of the most kind ppl in the world how can u claim such things when u even don't know him

Back in BW days Bratok was taken to russian army despite having some serious disease (and official documents proving it ofc but it's russia) then his friends\team managed to take him out of it somehow and he went ahead practicing ftw. His first visa deny was to Germany in 2008 and the official reason was "having no occupation after finishing college or university" (2 other finalists were denied btw so instead of having russia WCG08:BW top3 players perform we had top4-6 in the grand finals lol).

Some time after he went to Dreamhack winter using Finnish visa (that's how they usually do it in Saints Petersburg ^^). Due to crisis only he and his manager were able to go there out of whole team.

So when it came up to getting German visa again to go to IEM he got denied cause of some problem that popped out inb4 there was 1 day left for the tourney to start: German consul demanded the ESL CEO's inviting letter to be notary insured (or w/e is it called). There were several other strange requirements from him and ESL CEO had to send inviting letter 2 times using express delivery and stuff. Tones of calls to German embassy in Russia from ESL officials and rox's team managers didn't make that big of a difference.

When it came up to getting visa again for DH recently but he used his passport so guys in Finland saw 2 C1 denials (one of the most strict ones afaik) in German embassy. U can understand why he didn't get to Sweden the 2nd time. Although the official reason was "srs rule violation while using finnish visa before" but his manager traveled the exact same route Bratok did and was able to get his visa successfully.

I heard Bruce talking about this on diff streams. So it should be at least 90% true (knowing Bruce xD <3)
0neder
Profile Joined July 2009
United States3733 Posts
November 27 2010 15:48 GMT
#20
VISA troubles can happen for no good reason at all or that is related to the person.
AmiPolizeiFunk
Profile Joined May 2010
Germany804 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-27 15:57:09
November 27 2010 15:56 GMT
#21
On November 28 2010 00:47 razy wrote:
Show nested quote +
On November 28 2010 00:03 maybe wrote:
my guess is it has to do something with theire criminal records


xDD
srsly guys ^^ he is like one of the most kind ppl in the world how can u claim such things when u even don't know him

Back in BW days Bratok was taken to russian army despite having some serious disease (and official documents proving it ofc but it's russia) then his friends\team managed to take him out of it somehow and he went ahead practicing ftw. His first visa deny was to Germany in 2008 and the official reason was "having no occupation after finishing college or university" (2 other finalists were denied btw so instead of having russia WCG08:BW top3 players perform we had top4-6 in the grand finals lol).

Some time after he went to Dreamhack winter using Finnish visa (that's how they usually do it in Saints Petersburg ^^). Due to crisis only he and his manager were able to go there out of whole team.

So when it came up to getting German visa again to go to IEM he got denied cause of some problem that popped out inb4 there was 1 day left for the tourney to start: German consul demanded the ESL CEO's inviting letter to be notary insured (or w/e is it called). There were several other strange requirements from him and ESL CEO had to send inviting letter 2 times using express delivery and stuff. Tones of calls to German embassy in Russia from ESL officials and rox's team managers didn't make that big of a difference.

When it came up to getting visa again for DH recently but he used his passport so guys in Finland saw 2 C1 denials (one of the most strict ones afaik) in German embassy. U can understand why he didn't get to Sweden the 2nd time. Although the official reason was "srs rule violation while using finnish visa before" but his manager traveled the exact same route Bratok did and was able to get his visa successfully.

I heard Bruce talking about this on diff streams. So it should be at least 90% true (knowing Bruce xD <3)


Thanks for the answers razy! It's fucked that previous denials now red-flag him for current requests. That just messed up.
out4blood
Profile Joined July 2010
United States313 Posts
November 27 2010 15:59 GMT
#22
On November 28 2010 00:18 gm.tOSS wrote:
Show nested quote +
On November 28 2010 00:03 maybe wrote:
my guess is it has to do something with theire criminal records

Cheap call based on nothing but prejudice.

He might be suggesting it is based on the guy's repeated inability to secure a visa. Sure there can be trouble once in a while, but to be unable to travel multiple times? There's some other reason.
http://sc2sig.com/s/us/1228872-1.png?1290726543
Zandar
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Netherlands1541 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-27 16:07:25
November 27 2010 16:06 GMT
#23
Can't we help the guy in some way? Like sending a petition to these embassies or some European union bureaucrat. And have that petition signed by all team liquid visitors, husky viewers etc?
They might start to listen when so many people are complaining
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.
razy
Profile Joined February 2010
Russian Federation899 Posts
November 27 2010 16:16 GMT
#24
On November 28 2010 01:06 Zandar wrote:
Can't we help the guy in some way? Like sending a petition to these embassies or some European union bureaucrat. And have that petition signed by all team liquid visitors, husky viewers etc?
They might start to listen when so many people are complaining


i think his team manager's had enough of this troubles and they promised to deal w/ the prob so don't worry
Piski
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Finland3461 Posts
November 27 2010 16:39 GMT
#25
Hope they get it fixed soon. He is one of the best Terrans out there.
MasterFischer
Profile Joined August 2009
Denmark836 Posts
November 27 2010 17:14 GMT
#26
Brat okay is cool.
WHO is this who speaks to me as though I needed his advice?
Pulimuli
Profile Blog Joined February 2007
Sweden2766 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-27 17:41:18
November 27 2010 17:40 GMT
#27
He's obviously a KGB agent

anyhow i really like his games, sucks that he couldnt participate
Rannasha
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
Netherlands2398 Posts
November 27 2010 17:41 GMT
#28
I guess someone told the authorities that Brat_OK has access to nuclear friggin bombs
Such flammable little insects!
PhiliBiRD
Profile Joined November 2009
United States2643 Posts
November 27 2010 17:55 GMT
#29
On November 28 2010 00:06 OPSavioR wrote:
I dont think a starcarft nerd can be a terrorist.


i think anyone can be anyone they want
Patriot.dlk
Profile Blog Joined October 2004
Sweden5462 Posts
November 27 2010 17:57 GMT
#30
Well sweden won't give it if they suspect he might stay here.
NexUmbra
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
Scotland3776 Posts
November 27 2010 18:02 GMT
#31
Hope to see more from him at LANs in the future, he is very good ^^

FOR THE MOTHERLAND!!!
Life has won two GSLs and a Blizzard Cup. NOT three GSLs.
Condor
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
Netherlands188 Posts
November 27 2010 18:03 GMT
#32
Jokes aside, it is true that having visa problems once will make it next to impossible to ever get a visa again. Just as the reverse is true, getting the first one is a hassle, then the next one is much easier.

Sucks for Brat_OK (and anyone having the same problem). He's probably going to need some "inside help" (such as ESL CEO intervention) in order to get this mess straightened out.
Boblion
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
France8043 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-27 18:08:23
November 27 2010 18:03 GMT
#33
The only Russian people allowed in Europe are KGB operatives, mobsters and whores.
I'm sorry for Brat_Ok but he is a starcraft player, this is way too suspicious.
fuck all those elitists brb watching streams of elite players.
ggrrg
Profile Blog Joined September 2009
Bulgaria2716 Posts
November 27 2010 18:10 GMT
#34
On November 28 2010 03:03 Boblion wrote:
The only Russian people allowed in Europe are KGB operatives, mobsters and whores.
I'm sorry for Brat_Ok but he is a starcraft player which is way too suspicious.


Lovely xD... and yet sadly it feels so true.

I'm not surprised at all that Russians have a hard time getting visas for Western Europe. It was just the same 15 years ago in Bulgaria. Waiting for a visa to Western Europe longer than 4-5 months was common; being denied was even more common...
TheToast
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States4808 Posts
November 27 2010 18:14 GMT
#35
Likely it has nothing to do with his military service, as service in Russia is mandatory.

On November 28 2010 00:47 razy wrote:

So when it came up to getting German visa again to go to IEM he got denied cause of some problem that popped out inb4 there was 1 day left for the tourney to start: German consul demanded the ESL CEO's inviting letter to be notary insured (or w/e is it called). There were several other strange requirements from him and ESL CEO had to send inviting letter 2 times using express delivery and stuff. Tones of calls to German embassy in Russia from ESL officials and rox's team managers didn't make that big of a difference.


^That's actually really interesting, bureaucracy in action I guess.

Somehow I can't help but think that the recent tensions between the west and Russia isn't making it more difficult for everyone to get visas. But, that's politics for ya...
I like the way the walls go out. Gives you an open feeling. Firefly's a good design. People don't appreciate the substance of things. Objects in space. People miss out on what's solid.
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