The Russian embassy has denounced the ban, calling it discriminatory and a distortion of history.
A Berlin court has upheld the prohibition of Soviet flags and symbols at World War II memorials during the city’s commemoration of Nazi Germany’s defeat. The court cited concerns about public order and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as justification. Moscow has strongly condemned the ban as “degrading” and “discriminatory.”
Earlier this week, Berlin police forbade the display of various Soviet-related symbols during the May 8-9 events, including the public singing of Soviet songs.
An unnamed local organization challenged the ban, arguing that it unfairly restricted their freedom to assemble for a planned commemoration at a Soviet Memorial in Treptow.
On Wednesday, Berlin’s Administrative Court affirmed the police’s decision to prohibit Soviet flags, the Victory Banner, St. George’s ribbons, historical military uniforms, and even wartime songs.
According to the court, these symbols could be “interpreted as an expression of sympathy for the [Russian] war effort” in Ukraine and could “endanger public peace.”
The Russian embassy in Berlin has vehemently objected to the ban, asserting that it infringes upon the rights of descendants of Soviet soldiers and other residents to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazism. They noted that approximately 27 million Soviet citizens perished in the fight against Nazism.
The embassy stated, “We deem the ban unjustified, discriminatory, and degrading to human dignity and view it as clear manifestations of historical revisionism and political opportunism.”
”We are convinced that on these significant days, everyone… should have the opportunity, regardless of the current political context, to honor the memory and pay tribute to the fallen Red Army soldiers and victims of Nazism in accordance with established long-standing traditions. Any attempts to prevent this deserve condemnation. We urgently demand that the relevant decision be repealed,” the statement emphasized.
In 2023, Berlin police had already prohibited both Russian and Soviet flags during Victory Day events. In 2024, authorities extended the ban to include other Russian and Soviet symbols, such as the red Victory Banner and the letters “Z” and “V,” which have become associated with Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.
In both previous instances, some individuals defied the ban by wearing Soviet military uniforms and displaying the prohibited flags.
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