Berlin court allows use of Russian flags during 9 May celebrations in Tiergarten district; city police protests

Berlin’s Administrative Court has allowed the use of Russian flags during celebrations near a Soviet military memorial in the Tiergarten district on 9 May, the Berlin police reports on Twitter.

“Yesterday, Berlin’s Administrative Court (VG Berlin) allowed the display of Russian flags during the Soviet military memorial in the Tiergarten district on 9 May. In the morning, we filed a complaint with the Higher Administrative Court (OVG) Berlin Brandenburg,” the tweet says.

Radio Station RBB clarified, citing a representative of the Berlin police, that the event, during which the display of Russian flags has been allowed, will take place in the street starting near the Brandenburg Gate on 17 June.

Supposedly, the event in question is Immortal Regiment. This week, Berlin’s police agreed to allow it to take place. The march will start from the Brandenburg Gate and end with laying flowers near the monument to fallen Soviet soldiers.

Yesterday, 6 May, Berlin court overturned an earlier ban on the public display of Ukrainian flags during celebrations on 8 and 9 May, the association of Berlin Ukrainians Viche announced on Twitter. The ban on playing Ukrainian songs was also lifted. 

The demonstration of Russian and Ukrainian flags around Soviet memorials on 8 and 9 May was previously banned in several Berlin districts. The decision also banned the wearing of military uniforms and Saint George’s ribbons as well as the singing of military songs. The police pointed out that the ban does not apply to WWII veterans and diplomats who will take part in the commemoration events.

“The priority during these days is the dignified commemoration of the fallen soldiers of the former Soviet Army, who together with other armed forces contributed to liberating Germany and the world from Nazi dictatorship,” Berlin police previously stated.