On August 9, 2025, Belarusian singer Maks Korzh performed at the National Stadium in Warsaw. After the concert, Polish police detained 109 people. Of them, 72 face criminal charges and 37 administrative cases, while 50 people were fined a total of 11,450 zlotys. According to the authorities, 63 detainees are to be expelled from the country.
On the evening before the concert, August 8, Korzh's fans gathered on a vacant lot in the Wola district near Ordona Street. Media reports said hundreds of people drank alcohol, played loud music, burned flares, and set off fireworks. After local residents complained about the noise, police dispersed the crowd, detained nine people, and issued 25 fines. Prosecutors are expected to charge the organizers under regulations governing mass events.
"The organizer did not have permission for such a large public event," said Wola district mayor Krzysztof Strzalkowski, adding that several hundred police officers were deployed at the peak of the operation.
The concert itself began two hours late. Before the show, some spectators tried to get from the stands onto the field, which led to clashes with security staff. According to media reports, a special squad of guards in helmets and protective gear was brought onto the field, and organizers threatened to stop the concert if the disorder continued.
Although flags were banned inside the venue, some attendees managed to bring them in. One person in the crowd was seen with a red-and-black OUN-UPA flag, and another blue-and-yellow banner displayed the "Idea of the Nation" symbol and calls to free prisoners. The footage sparked strong reactions in Poland: former ambassador to Washington Marek Magierowski and Law and Justice MP Dariusz Matecki publicly condemned what happened. The stadium administration said it unequivocally condemns the display of symbols promoting totalitarian regimes or hatred.
Police said the charges involve drug possession, assaults on security staff, possession and carrying of pyrotechnics, and unlawful entry onto restricted property.