In Poland, an anti-Ukrainian presidential candidate tore down the Ukrainian flag from the town hall

In Poland, an anti-Ukrainian presidential candidate tore down the Ukrainian flag from the town hall

The Polish police are investigating the case of the removal of the Ukrainian flag from the city hall building in Biała Podlaska on Wednesday during a rally of the presidential candidate, Member of the European Parliament Grzegorz Braun.

This was reported by RMF FM.

The Lublin police reported on Thursday that officers from Biala Podlaska are conducting an investigation into the incident that occurred during the presidential candidate Grzegorz Braun’s campaign event.

"Officers have identified the man who removed the Ukrainian flag from the city hall building. The recordings related to this incident are also being analyzed in detail. The collected materials will be forwarded to the prosecutor’s office," the police stated, noting that there may be legal consequences for such actions.

Published recordings from Braun’s rally show a man climbing a ladder to the town hall balcony, pulling the Ukrainian flag from its holder, and handing it to the presidential candidate. The man then placed a Polish flag in its stead. Braun shook his hand in gratitude. During the incident, the crowd chanted, among other things, "This is Poland."

Afterward, the candidate addressed the audience. "I take you all as witnesses that Mr. Kacper, as my assistant designated to fulfill the duties of a Polish Member of the European Parliament, at my request and under my direct instruction, did what he did. Therefore, it is my responsibility," Braun said to the rally participants.

He announced that the Ukrainian flag would be handed over to the nearest Ukrainian consulate.

The Ukrainian ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, called the act at the rally of the anti-Ukrainian presidential candidate in Biała Podlaska, where the Ukrainian flag was torn off the town hall, a deliberate provocation aimed at damaging relations between the countries.

In the summer of 2024, Braun also removed the Ukrainian flag from the Kościuszko Mound in Krakow, claiming it was in the "wrong place."

Braun is known for his pro-Russian views: he is often quoted by Russian media, and he turned out to be the only deputy who, at the beginning of 2023, did not vote in the Sejm for a resolution calling on the EU and NATO to help Ukraine in its war with Russia. He was also involved in an anti-Ukrainian rally in Warsaw, which no one attended.

Tak wygląda wiec Brauna w Białej Podlaskiej. Ludzie weszli na budynek Urzędu Miasta i zerwali ukraińską flagę. Polityka nienawiści zbiera żniwo. To nie jest patriotyzm. To hańba. pic.twitter.com/qxpPrmkchg

— Marta Wcisło #Trzaskowski2025 (@WcisloMarta123) April 30, 2025