A banner targeting the UPA and Stepan Bandera (“F**k the UPA and Bandera”) appeared on a fence on Cieszkowskiego Street in Bolesławiec, between a food-service venue and the new headquarters of the District Police Headquarters. As it turns out, the latter is already dealing with the matter.
At the time this article was being prepared, we received information that the police had already removed the banner in question.
It is not known yet who hung it. We will return to the subject.
Such banners or inscriptions appear in public spaces relatively rarely, although from time to time they are reported by the media and services. They most often concern current political events, historical disputes or national issues. In each case, the police analyze both the content of the message and the circumstances in which it was placed.
Merely taking a critical view of historical figures or organizations does not necessarily constitute a violation of the law. However, the situation may be different when a message contains content inciting hatred against particular groups of people, insults them or meets the criteria of other prohibited acts. It is also relevant whether the banner was placed legally and with the landowner’s consent.
If the content of the banner is deemed to constitute public incitement to hatred or public insult of a group of people on the grounds of their nationality, ethnic origin, race, religion or lack of religious affiliation, Articles 256 or 257 of the Criminal Code may apply, providing for a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment. Regardless of this, if the banner was hung without the fence owner’s consent, it may also be assessed under other provisions, for example those concerning interference with another person’s property.