National symbol: Palestinian flag hoisted in front of the Reichstag
Quick Look
- A 22-year-old climbed the flagpole in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin to exchange the German flag for a Palestinian flag.
- The police arrested three people involved and are investigating charges of defamation of the state.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The incident occurred at the Reichstag building in Berlin. The group 'Peacefully Against Genocide' claimed responsibility for the action.
Berlin. A man climbed the flagpole in front of the Reichstag building and exchanged the German flag for a Palestinian flag. The Berlin fire brigade took down the flag again at midday, a police spokeswoman said, after “Bild” had previously reported. The 22-year-old was temporarily taken into police custody, as was a supporter. He had thrown the German flag to the ground.
According to police, he stayed on the mast for around an hour, secured with climbing harnesses, before he climbed down again. Two men at the foot of the mast, 20 and 32 years old, supported him and filmed the action. According to the police spokeswoman, all three have German citizenship.
The climber should be handed over to state security. The 20-year-old supporter was later released from police custody and sent off. The third, a 32-year-old, only received a dismissal.
The state security police are investigating the suspicion of denigration of the state and its symbols, the suspicion of damaging property that is harmful to the community, the violation of the Berlin Freedom of Assembly Act and the suspicion of trespassing.
In the morning, the group “Peacefully Against Genocide” took responsibility. It was about “civil society solidarity with the people of Palestine,” it said in an online message.
Open Questions
- How did the climber get to the mast despite safety precautions?
- What specific criminal consequences will follow for the 22-year-old?
