Video of Poles being beaten in Berlin has gone viral, but a number of left-leaning Polish politicians appear to be happy with the outcome, including the Polish foreign minister.
The incident began when German police intervened against Poles who wanted to pay tribute to Polish victims of German crimes during the Second World War.
Several people were injured and had to be taken to hospital. Members of the Border Defense Movement, led by Robert Bąkiewicz, came to the German capital to erect a wooden cross and lay flowers at the site where the memorial boulder was placed.
🇵🇱🇩🇪German police were filmed beating Poles who carried a large cross to the Place of Remembrance for Poland 1939-1945, a monument to the Polish victims of WWII in Berlin.
The incident is threatening to turn into a diplomatic fiasco. pic.twitter.com/yM7dBYEH6e
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) June 16, 2026The videos, which quickly appeared online, show how the intervention of German police officers took place. The video clearly showed that they tried to snatch a large cross from the Poles and several people were knocked to the ground and arrested. The footage also shows officers punching Border Patrol Movement (ROG) members, including the organization’s leader, Robert Bąkiewicz.
Robert Bąkiewicz’s daughter, Blanka, wrote on social media: “It’s bad. They were taken away by ambulance. Jacek, Paweł and Dad in serious condition. Dad is vomiting. He has broken ribs.”
However, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski wrote Wednesday morning that he wishes them a “successful holiday.”
“Due to the beginning of the holiday season, I encourage you to follow the Pole Abroad website. Local law must be followed and orders from law enforcement must be followed. Consuls of the Republic of Poland provide assistance, but they cannot always protect against the effects of imprudent behavior. I wish you a successful holiday and a safe return to the country!” wrote Sikorski.
W związku z rozpoczynającym się sezonem urlopowym zachęcam do śledzenia strony @PolakZaGranica
Należy przestrzegać lokalnego prawa oraz wypełniać polecenia służb porządkowych.
Konsulowie RP udzielają pomocy ale nie zawsze mogą ochronić przed skutkami zachowań nieroztropnych.…
— Radosław Sikorski 🇵🇱🇪🇺 (@sikorskiradek) June 17, 2026The daughter of Bąkiewicz commented on his post. “Mr. Sikorski! In the light of article 36 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland a Polish citizen residing abroad has the right to be cared for by the Republic of Poland. In addition, art. 20 para. 1 of the Consular Law explicitly states that the consul provides assistance to a Polish citizen in the event of a serious accident, serious illness, arrest, as well as in the event of an act of violence of which a Polish citizen has fallen victim,” she wrote.
Panie Sikorski! W świetle art. 36 Konstytucji RP obywatel polski przebywający za granicą ma prawo do opieki ze strony Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej. Ponadto art. 20 ust. 1 ustawy – Prawo konsularne wprost stanowi, że konsul udziela pomocy obywatelowi polskiemu w razie poważnego… https://t.co/0oiAYc5Gsf
— Blanka Bąkiewicz (@BlankaBakiewicz) June 17, 2026“In this case, we are dealing with precisely this situation: Polish citizens were assaulted by German police, taken to hospital, required medical assistance – and the Polish state has an obligation to react! It is not a matter of your sympathy or your grace! This is your sacred duty! Please stop lecturing Poles and start defending Polish citizens or resign for incompetence,” she wrote.
Other ruling coalition politicians reacted with glee at the beating video. Krzysztof Śmiszek applauded the German police for their actions, and others reacted with amusement.
“Finally, someone at the level took care of Bąkiewicz and his deluded followers. Bravo!” – wrote MEP Krzysztof Śmiszek.
W końcu się ktoś zajął na poziomie Bąkiewiczem i jego odklejeńcami. Brawo! https://t.co/XCPAAxNQeo
— Krzysztof Śmiszek (@K_Smiszek) June 17, 2026When Robert Bąkiewicz reported that the police beat him and locked him “in a cage without oxygen”, Bartosz Arłukowicz, a PO politician and a doctor by profession, did not hide his amusement either.
“Mr. Bąkiewicz! Breathe through your nose! Nose! The cages have holes! Breathe sir! Damn, breathe through your nose!” mocked the MEP.
Panie Bąkiewicz! Oddychaj pan nosem! Nosem! Klatki mają dziurki! Oddychaj pan! Nosem kurde oddychaj! https://t.co/3oCFIBWoF1
— Bartosz Arlukowicz (@Arlukowicz) June 16, 2026
