Poland Deports Ukrainian Citizens After Controversial Events at Warsaw Concert: Detentions and Sanctions
Following a major concert by Belarusian rapper Max Korzh in Warsaw, which was marred by mass disturbances and the display of banned symbols, Polish law enforcement launched a comprehensive investigation.
As a result, 63 individuals were detained and expelled from the country, including 57 Ukrainians and six Belarusians, who were compelled or voluntarily chose to leave Poland.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized that these measures were taken in response to public order violations that caused significant public outrage.
During the concert, fans and activists not only engaged in heated confrontations with security personnel but also committed acts of violence: jumping over barriers, storming the stage, setting fire to flares, and displaying the prohibited UPA flag, which is outlawed under Polish law.
The flag, a symbol of Ukrainian liberation movement, was openly displayed amidst the chaos, prompting widespread concern.
The incident drew attention to the delicate historical and political relations between Ukraine and Poland, especially concerning symbols tied to contentious parts of history.
One of the detained Ukrainians, Dmytro, issued an official apology, clarifying that the flag symbolized support for Ukrainians and was not aimed against Poland.
According to police reports, 109 people were detained during the event for various offenses including drug possession, assault on security personnel, illegal entry, and use of pyrotechnics.
Most offenders received fines.
This case underscores the ongoing complexities in Ukrainian-Polish relations, especially when historical symbols stirred controversy and public discourse in both nations.