“Very sensitive risk situation”
3,400 police officers are to secure World War II commemorations in Berlin
May 6, 2022, 5:09 p.m
More than 50 events are planned in the capital around the anniversary of the end of the world war. Tensions are expected over the Russian war against Ukraine. A balancing act for the police – thousands of officials should protect a dignified commemoration – and prevent instrumentalization.
The Berlin police want to accompany the planned demonstrations and commemorative events to mark the 77th anniversary of the end of the Second World War with a large contingent. According to a spokesman, around 3,400 police officers should be on the road in the city area this Sunday and Monday. In view of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, a “very sensitive risk situation” is expected. It is important to protect a dignified commemoration at memorial sites and memorials – and at the same time to prevent an “instrumentalization of commemoration”, said police chief Barbara Slowik.
The Senate named the total of more than 50 demonstrations and commemorative events on both days in the capital. Slowik emphasized that the police would take action against “any form of support, approval, glorification or even glorification of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine”.
The assembly authority has issued numerous conditions for 15 memorial sites and memorials. This includes, for example, that neither Russian nor Ukrainian flags may be displayed on or near the respective site. Uniforms or parts of uniforms – even in modified forms – as well as marching or military songs are also prohibited. The Z symbol is also prohibited. The letter is used by pro-war advocates and stands for “za pobedu” (“For Victory”). According to the police, however, veterans of the Second World War, diplomats and representatives and delegations of states are exempt from the regulations.
The administrative court in Berlin recently declared restrictions on pro-Russian demonstrations to be permissible. Earlier in April, a pro-Russian motorcade in Berlin caused outrage: around 400 vehicles drove through the city with Russian flags. On the same day, the killing of civilians in the Ukrainian city of Bucha came to light.