Over 15,000 Respond to Poll Following Robert Bąkiewicz’s Detention in Berlin

Following the detention of Robert Bąkiewicz by Berlin police during a Border Defense Movement protest near the Reichstag, a poll of over 15,000 readers reveals a divided public opinion.

Poll Results on Bąkiewicz’s Political Activity

We asked our readers to share their views on Robert Bąkiewicz’s political activities. A majority of respondents, 66.20 percent or 10,445 individuals, expressed a positive opinion. Conversely, 33.14 percent of voters, totaling 5,229, held a negative view, while 103 people—representing 0.60 percent—remained undecided. These figures were collected on June 17, 2026.

Police Intervention in Berlin

The incident occurred on June 16 near the Reichstag, where members of the Border Defense Movement attempted to place a wooden cross commemorating Polish victims of German WWII crimes. According to participants, they intended to march toward a German-designated memorial site before police intervened.

Following his release, Bąkiewicz alleged that officers used physical violence and prevented the commemoration. The Berlin police stated that the group refused to comply with instructions to relocate the gathering or proceed to the memorial individually, leading to six arrests and the use of force.

Legal Controversies and Convictions

Robert Bąkiewicz remains a polarizing figure in Polish public life, frequently linked to the Independence March Association and nationalist protests. His career has been marked by ongoing political and judicial disputes.

Most recently, on May 29, 2026, the District Court for Warsaw-Śródmieście found Bąkiewicz guilty regarding an incident at the Holy Cross Church during the October 2020 Women’s Strike protests. He was sentenced to 10 months of community service and ordered to pay 5,000 PLN in damages for pushing activist Angelika Domańska.