A man has been detained in Poland on suspicion of publicly displaying the “Z” and “V” logos associated with Russia’s war in Ukraine. Propagating symbols in support of Moscow’s invasion was last year made a criminal offence punishable by up to two years in prison.
Police in Prudnik, a town of 21,000 in southern Poland, yesterday announced that they had detained the 49-year-old on suspicion of displaying such symbols and of inciting hatred on the basis of nationality, another crime that carries a prison sentence of up to two years.
They had been alerted by concerned residents about a man walking in the streets of the city dressed as a Russian soldier. Prosecutors have ordered that the suspect be placed under police supervision while the case is investigated.
During a search of the man’s premises, police say they found clothing featuring symbols and slogans promoting a totalitarian system (another crime in Poland) as well as inciting national hatred. They also ascertained that the man had committed similar acts on social media.
They published images of a helmet and cap bearing a “Z” logo. The former also features a “V” as well as a sticker referring to the Volhynia massacre of ethnic Poles by Ukrainian nationalists during World War Two.
The photographs released by the police also show military-style clothing bearing black and orange ribbons of Saint George – another symbol of support for Russia’s war in Ukraine – and what looks like a pistol. The police have not commented on the authenticity of the apparent firearm.
For more on Poland's new law introducing sanctions against Russia and Russian-linked individuals and entities, which was signed by President @AndrzejDuda last night, see our report from last week https://t.co/RJtLOEiqZs
— Notes from Poland 🇵🇱 (@notesfrompoland) April 15, 2022
The letter “Z”, which was initially seen on Russian military vehicles, has come to be a symbol of the invasion. Russia’s defence ministry later clarified it as an abbreviation of the Russian phrase meaning “for victory” while the “V” symbol stands for “strength is in truth”.
Poland is one of a number of countries to have passed bans against symbols showing support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Among them are the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Germany as well as Ukraine itself
Earlier this year, in a separate case, a Polish woman who praised Vladimir Putin and Russia’s war against Ukraine in social media posts went on trial in Poland, accused of publicly praising a war of aggression, a crime that carries a prison sentence of up to five years.
A woman has gone on trial in Poland for publicly praising Russia's war against Ukraine, a crime that can carry a prison sentence of up to five years.
"I believe in Russia’s victory and help for us Slavs,” read one of her posts. “I am praying for Russia" https://t.co/3pOkbTid8D
— Notes from Poland 🇵🇱 (@notesfrompoland) March 3, 2023
Image and video credit: KPP Prudnik
Daniel Tilles is editor-in-chief of Notes from Poland. He has written on Polish affairs for a wide range of publications, including Foreign Policy, POLITICO Europe, EUobserver and Dziennik Gazeta Prawna.
