This was reported RMF FM with reference to the Central Investigation Bureau of the Polish Police.
When a “thief in law” falls into the hands of the police, it can be difficult to prove that he committed crimes in Poland. Therefore, the authorities prefer to deport such persons because they pose a threat to public order and security.
But Belarus and Russia are reluctant to accept such people – they create difficulties and impose conditions that are difficult to fulfill. The same applies to Georgia, where the law allows in some cases to deprive criminal authorities of citizenship. There was a case when this country did not accept a deportee, who had already been brought to Tbilisi by a special flight. The Polish crew also did not take him on board again. Georgia tried to hand him over to Turkey, but Ankara did not agree to accept him either. In the end, it managed to be handed over to Iran.
International organizations estimate that there may be about 300 people with “thief-in-law” status in the EU. An RMF FM police interlocutor estimated their number at about 50.
