Polish Authorities to Deport Over 60 Foreigners After Riots at Max Korzh Concert in Warsaw

Polish authorities are expelling more than 60 foreigners following unrest at a Max Korzh concert in Warsaw. The event, held on August 9 at the National Stadium, ended with over 100 arrests, Anadolu Agency reported. Deportations will affect 57 Ukrainian citizens and six Belarusians.

During the Belarusian rapper’s concert, one attendee displayed the black-and-red flag of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) — a symbol banned in Russia. This group is linked to events in 1943–1944 during which nationalists killed tens of thousands of Poles. The incident is believed to have sparked the mass disorder.

According to Onet.pl, over 60,000 people attended the concert, and at some point the situation spiraled out of control. Fans began jumping over railings, clashing with security staff. More than 100 people were detained. Organizers considered canceling the show, but it eventually went ahead with a 90-minute delay. The man who displayed the flag later posted an apology video online, identifying himself as Dmitry and saying he had no intent to promote propaganda or cause offense.

Reuters reported that many Poles were outraged by the flag incident and confirmed that 109 people were detained. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that criminal cases were promptly opened and that 63 foreigners would be deported — 57 Ukrainians and six Belarusians.

Current Time added that 99 people were fined a total of 22,600 zloty (about $5,900). Most detainees were charged with drug possession, assaulting security personnel, bringing pyrotechnics into the venue, and unlawful entry. EurAsia Daily reported that 72 people face criminal charges, 37 administrative charges, and 50 were fined a combined 11,500 zloty (about $3,000).

The operator of Warsaw’s National Stadium, PL.2012+, filed a complaint about a possible crime, stating: “We unequivocally condemn all manifestations of aggression — both physical and verbal — as well as any form of totalitarian propaganda or content inciting hatred. Our rules prohibit the display of symbols, slogans, or signs linked to totalitarian regimes or inciting hatred based on national, ethnic, or cultural grounds.”

MP Dariusz Matecki also lodged a complaint with prosecutors under the law on “propaganda of Nazism, communism, fascism, or other totalitarian regimes”.

Bloomberg quoted Tusk as saying: “The state must act effectively and quickly, punishing all those responsible, whether they are Ukrainians, Belarusians, Poles, or Germans.” He added that anti-Ukrainian sentiment must not be allowed to spread.

However, such sentiment is already visible in Poland. Many citizens are weary of the refugee influx. Both liberal and nationalist politicians have capitalized on this, pledging to curb benefits for Ukrainians or give Poles priority in public services. The scandal erupted shortly after a heated presidential campaign won by nationalist Karol Nawrocki, whose anti-migrant rhetoric swayed moderate voters.

Poland hosts over one million Ukrainian refugees, who, according to a UN and Deloitte report, have made a substantial economic contribution. Ukrainians are allowed to work and run small businesses, helping the Polish economy grow by 2.7% in 2024. The report says their presence has boosted specialization and productivity without reducing Polish employment, even pushing local wages higher. However, many refugees work in jobs below their education level — only a third of university graduates hold positions requiring a degree. Experts estimate that removing barriers to Ukrainian integration into the labor market could yield macroeconomic gains of 6 billion zloty ($1.6 billion) annually.