Tagesschau: 22-year-old, Lenta and Vedomosti: 27 – Palestinian flag over the Reichstag
A man climbed the flagpole outside the Reichstag in Berlin, took down the German flag and raised a Palestinian one. The sources differ on his age, the time of the incident and how many people remain in custody.
What Western media report
Germany's public broadcaster Tagesschau (rbb|24) reports that a 22-year-old climbed the nearly 30-metre pole around 11:30, removed the "Flag of Unity" and hoisted a Palestinian flag, while two men (20 and 32) assisted from the ground. According to police, he climbed down on his own around 12:30. The two helpers were released after identity checks and a removal order, while he remains in custody for now. Because the pole's rope system was damaged, the German flag could not initially be rehung. The police Staatsschutz at the LKA is investigating on suspicion of disparaging the state and its symbols, damage to property, breaching Berlin's assembly law and trespassing.
What media from these countries report: Russia
Russia's Lenta.ru and Vedomosti, citing Germany's Bild and police spokesman Martin Halweg, say a 27-year-old removed a roughly 60 m² German flag and raised a Palestinian one around 11:15. They say two men (20 and 32) filmed the action and that all three were detained. Vedomosti adds that the detainee said he acted "in solidarity with Palestine", that all three are "German citizens without a visible migration background", and that the pole is a national monument and the flag a symbol of reunification on 3 October 1990. Lenta.ru recalls an October Berlin demonstration against militarism; Vedomosti closes with a note on flooded tents in Gaza.
Differences
- Age of the main actor: 22 (Tagesschau) versus 27 (Lenta.ru, Vedomosti, citing Bild).
- Time: about 11:30 (Tagesschau) versus about 11:15 (Lenta.ru, Vedomosti).
- Role of the two men: assisted him (Tagesschau) versus filmed the action (Lenta.ru, Vedomosti).
- Custody: Tagesschau says the two helpers were released; the Russian outlets say all three were detained.
- Descent: Tagesschau says he climbed down on his own; the Russian outlets say firefighters were needed (Vedomosti: a ladder truck).
- Legal basis: Tagesschau lists four suspected offences and Staatsschutz responsibility; the Russian outlets cite disparagement of the state and the assembly law.
- Context: only Vedomosti gives his statement and the monument status; Lenta.ru adds the anti-militarism demonstration, Vedomosti the Gaza item.
Where they agree
- A man climbed the Reichstag flagpole, removed the German flag and raised a Palestinian one.
- Two men aged 20 and 32 were on the ground.
- He was down around 12:30, and the Palestinian flag was removed with firefighters' help.
- An investigation over disparaging the state and its symbols and breaching assembly law.
Sources: read the originals
- Berlin
- Reichstag
- Palestine
- flag
- Germany
Europe
Europe
Africa
Europe
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