Krakow police searching for man who tore down Ukrainian flags from city buildings

Krakow police spokesperson Piotr Spiech said this in a comment to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"We are aware of the case and are taking steps to identify the individual responsible for these actions, which will have consequences," Spiech said.

According to him, the police launched the investigation after receiving a report from a representative of the Sokol Gymnastic Society.

"We have notified the prosecutor's office and are gathering evidence. Currently, police actions are being carried out under Article 193 of the Polish Penal Code [unlawful entry into a dwelling]," the police spokesperson said.

He added that the classification of the offense could change as the investigation progresses.

The case is being overseen by the Krakow-Srodmiescie West District Prosecutor's Office.

Under Article 193 of Poland's Penal Code, the offense is punishable by a fine, restriction of liberty, or up to one year of imprisonment.

This is not the first incident involving the removal of Ukrainian flags in public places in Poland. On April 30, during a campaign event in the city of Biala Podlaska (Lublin Voivodeship), pro-Russian Polish politician and MEP Grzegorz Braun — who was also a candidate in Poland's presidential race — tore down a Ukrainian flag from a town hall building along with his supporters. The flag was later restored to the building.

In early May, the European Parliament lifted Braun's parliamentary immunity at the request of Polish judicial authorities due to several ongoing legal cases related to his controversial behavior.

Illustrative photo