Related News
Polish official’s future in doubt over ‘Hitler’ outburst
Print Edition
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said yesterday he is considering the future of a senior party ally who is alleged to have drunkenly shouted “Heil Hitler!” at a German airport official.
The incident involving Jacek Protasiewicz, vice-president of the European parliament, is embarrassing for Poland, which has sought to put aside wartime animosities to build a close relationship with Germany.
Germany’s Bild tabloid quoted eyewitnesses as saying that Protasiewicz, who is also a regional boss of Poland’s ruling party, looked drunk and unsteady when his flight landed at Frankfurt airport.
The newspaper said when a customs officer challenged him as he tried to leave the terminal, Protasiewicz shouted “Heil Hitler!” and asked, “Have you ever been to Auschwitz?”
Protasiewicz told Polish media he had drunk two bottles of wine on the flight but said the German official had provoked him by addressing him rudely and shoving him.
He had flown to Frankfurt from Warsaw, an aide said.
“We will decide on the future of Protasiewicz and his role in the European Parliament in the next few days,” Tusk, who speaks German and has good relations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said.
“No matter who is guilty and how much guilt lies on the side of the German airport workers, his behavior is unacceptable... A man must be able to control his emotions and nerves,” said Tusk.
German forces occupied Poland in World War II. Millions of Poles, mainly Jews, were killed in Nazi concentration camps. Thousands of Poles also died when German forces put down an uprising in Warsaw.
Protasiewicz was interviewed by German police but released without charge.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
