A Berlin court on Monday upheld a police ban on Russian and Soviet flags and other symbols at this week’s Victory Day celebrations, commemorating the end of World War II in Europe.
In Berlin, Victory celebrations lasted two days. Late on May 8, 1945, Nazi Germany signed a document of surrender in Berlin. Due to the time difference, Russia celebrates victory over fascism on May 9.
In the years leading up to Moscow’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Berliners and Russians in the city will gather at major monuments. But now the monuments have become hotbeds of pro-Russian activists.
Although a majority of Germans are pro-Ukrainian, a vocal minority are pro-Moscow, including members of the large Russian diaspora as well as far-right activists.
Last week, Berlin police announced a ban on symbols, uniforms, songs and flags supporting the Russian invasion during Victory Day celebrations, citing the risk of violence. The measure, similar to the one introduced last year, applies to three major memorial events on Monday and Tuesday.
The ban originally included the Ukrainian flag, hymns and military songs, but a court ruling overturned those restrictions after public outcry and police decided not to contest the decision. that determination. Pro-Russian activists then went to court and received orders to allow the display of Russian symbols, including the flag.
But on Monday, a higher court reversed that ruling and restored the ban on Russian and Soviet symbols, according to DPA, the German news service.
For many years, the annual celebration at Berlin’s Great Soviet Monument from bleak to boisterous, and features many Russian and Soviet flags, uniforms, and ribbons. Last year, amid icon and song restrictions, the celebration was muted.
Police say they will have up to 1,500 officers on standby during this year’s Victory Day celebrations.
