Three Albanian signers were arrested in Switzerland after it was found out that they had used their visa-free entry privileges for the purpose of performing without holding a work visa.
The three singers, identified as Don Phenom, Soni Malaj, and Sinan Vllasaliu, were arrested by the Swiss police during a routine control, SchengenVisaInfo reports.
The three singers were arrested not long before going on stage to perform and then got sent to detention.
According to Top Channel, Labinot Rexha, another singer who holds Swiss citizenship, shared the news on the arrest of the three Albanian singers.
Rexha said that the three singers were held in detention for 48 hours and also explained the reasons behind the arrest.
He said that the singers, who are only permitted to enter the Schengen Area visa-free for short stays for tourism purposes, violated the rules by using their entry for work.
Don Phenom and Soni Malaj hold Albanian passports, whereas Sinan Vllasaliu holds a Kosovo passport.
Both countries, Albania and Kosovo, have a visa-free agreement with the EU that permits their citizens to enter the Schengen Area for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
However, in line with the visa-free agreement, foreigners are not allowed to carry out work-related activities.
In this particular case, the three singers had to hold a work visa in order to enter Switzerland for the purpose of performing in a concert.
The Singers Risk Being Banned From Entering Switzerland
In line with the current rules that the Schengen countries have, those who violate the visa regulations risk facing harsh restrictions.
While the Swiss authorities have not made any comment on the matter yet, the three singers risk being banned from performing and entering Switzerland for up to ten years.
Since Switzerland is a Schengen country, if it bans the three singers, they will also automatically no longer be allowed to enter any other country that is part of the Schengen Area.
However, the Swiss authorities have yet to make an official decision on the matter, as only a fine could be imposed on the singers.
Previously, the Swiss authorities said for SchengenVisaInfo that all those who are found working in the country without proper authorisation are subject to removal and liable to imprisonment for up to one year.
The same stressed that the authorities carry regular inspections to make sure that no one is violating the rules and working in the country without holding a work permit or other needed authorisation.
