Press Release: Brutal Police Crackdown on Christian Memorial – Polish Catholics Assaulted and Cross Confiscated in Berlin
Berlin – June 16, 2026
German police in Berlin violently broke up a peaceful procession organized by members of Poland’s Border Defense Movement (Ruch Obrony Granic – ROG) and brutally assaulted its leader, Robert Bąkiewicz, along with several other participants. The group had gathered to honor Polish victims of Nazi Germany by carrying a large wooden cross to a temporary memorial site near the Reichstag, an act of solemn historical remembrance.
Despite the peaceful and symbolic nature of the initiative, Berlin police intervened aggressively, citing a lack of official permission for the assembly. Officers surrounded the participants, used unprecedented physical force to restrain them, and handcuffed at least six individuals, including Robert Bąkiewicz. Eyewitness videos and participant testimonies reveal a disproportionate and brutal response: multiple officers piled on Bąkiewicz and others, resulting in severe beatings.
Bąkiewicz and at least one other activist were hospitalized in serious condition. Bąkiewicz’s daughter, Blanka, reported that her father suffered a possible broken rib, a mild concussion, and other injuries, describing the treatment as inhumane. Participants described being dragged, pressed to the ground, and denied basic respect during the intervention.
Robert Bąkiewicz stated after the incident that he was “strongly beaten” and highlighted the excessive force used against Poles seeking only to pay tribute to victims of history. This incident raises serious concerns about the German authorities’ approach to Polish historical memory, especially amid ongoing tensions regarding World War II reparations and recognition of Polish suffering under German occupation. Critics view the police action as anti-Christian, anti-Polish, politically motivated suppression rather than routine enforcement of assembly rules. A Polish consul in Berlin is actively investigating the events and has engaged with German authorities.
The Border Defense Movement and supporters, including figures from Poland’s opposition, condemn the violence as an unacceptable assault on freedom of expression, assembly, and the right to honor national history. They call for a full, transparent investigation, accountability for the officers involved, and an official response from Polish diplomatic channels to prevent further mistreatment of Polish citizens abroad.
Quotes:
“We came in peace with a cross to remember our victims. Instead, we faced batons and handcuffs. This brutality cannot be tolerated.” — Robert Bąkiewicz, following his release and medical treatment.
The organization demands that German authorities explain the disproportionate force and reaffirm commitment to respecting historical remembrance for all nations affected by WWII.
Contact for more information:
Blanka Bakiewicz (daughter)
