Former Italian ambassador arrested in Rome over Schengen visa scheme for Russians

Piergabriele Papadia de Bottini di Sant'Agnese, the former Italian ambassador to Uzbekistan, has been arrested in Rome on suspicion of organising a scheme to issue Schengen visas to Russian nationals through the Italian embassy in Tashkent.

Source: La Repubblica

According to investigators, during his time as ambassador to Uzbekistan Papadia took personal control of the visa department and brought in Tatyana Tarakanova, a Russian-Italian dual national who had previously worked with him at the Italian consulate in Moscow.

Both are under investigation by Rome prosecutors on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration and corruption. Investigating judge Annalisa Marzano ordered Papadia's detention; he had already been suspended from his post in December 2025.

How the scheme worked

Investigators say Papadia and Tarakanova issued Russian citizens long-term tourist visas valid for one to three years, even when applicants did not meet the requirements of the Schengen code. The fee was reportedly between €4,000 and €16,000 per person.

According to the investigation, three Moscow-based travel agencies took part in the scheme; at least 95 Russian nationals are believed to have entered Italy on falsified grounds. Prosecutors and the financial police are reviewing around 400 cases and examining Papadia's declared assets of around €3 million, which he attributes to an inheritance.

Context

At the end of April, Latvia added three Russian nationals to its blacklist of people banned from entering the country, including former Russian culture minister Mikhail Shvydkoy. Lithuania is discussing a five-year entry ban for performers who have appeared in Russia or Belarus.