The easing of visa restrictions in 1999 and 2000 at German embassies in Kiev, Moscow and elsewhere - now the subject of investigation and heated political debate - led to a temporary surge only in the number of tourist visas issued.

In Kiev, the number jumped from 148,000 in 1999 to 297,000 in 2001, but fell back to 146,000 in 2003. The patterns were similar at other German embassies.