Video of Polish neo-Nazis burning swastikas on Hitler’s birthday puts pressure on right-wing government
The footage was aired on private news channel TVN24, and showed celebrations for Adolf Hitler’s 128th birthday, among other disturbing images
Poland’s right-wing government is facing pressure to act forcefully against far-right extremists following the weekend broadcast of Polish neo-Nazis dressing in Nazi German uniforms and praising Adolf Hitler.
Private news channel TVN24 broadcast hidden-camera footage on Saturday of neo-Nazis celebrating what would have been Hitler’s 128th birthday in a wooded area near the southwestern Polish village of Wodzislaw last spring. The participants chanted “Sieg Heil” and praised Hitler as they burned a large swastika.
Among those caught on camera was a man identified as Mateusz S, the leader of neo-Nazi group Pride and Modernity (DN).
The report has provoked widespread shock in Poland, which was occupied by Germany during the second world war and subjected to widespread massacres and atrocities.
On Sunday, the prime minister denounced the neo-Nazis and prosecutors launched an investigation. But opposition lawmakers on Monday accused the ruling party of allowing such extremism to grow by failing to act against racism over the past two years.