Polish far-right leader charged with Holocaust denial for calling Auschwitz gas chambers “fake”

Polish far-right leader Grzegorz Braun has been formally charged with Holocaust denial for claiming the gas chambers at Auschwitz were “fake.” The charge comes after prosecutors accused him of publicly denying the crimes of genocide committed by Nazi officials at the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in occupied Poland. Braun, a member of the European Parliament and leader of the Confederation of the Polish Crown (KKP), made the controversial remarks in July 2025, describing the gas chambers as part of a “propaganda narrative” and suggesting they were fabricated. The case marks another escalation in the ongoing legal battle over historical accountability in Poland. Braun’s remarks were made during two interviews in late 2025, in which he claimed that the existence of gas chambers at Auschwitz was a “fact” that contradicted Jewish traditions and that the narratives surrounding the camps were part of a “quasi-religious cult.” These statements, according to prosecutors, directly contradict established historical records, including testimonies from survivors, wartime documents, and evidence from previous criminal investigations. The Institute of National Remembrance (IPN), a state-run institution responsible for preserving historical memory in Poland, initiated the formal charges against Braun, citing laws that prohibit denying Nazi-era crimes. On Tuesday, Braun was summoned to the Kraków branch of the IPN to face the charges. His supporters gathered outside the building, showing solidarity with the politician, who placed fourth in the 2025 presidential election. Since then, his KKP party has gained traction, reaching approximately 9% in recent polls, positioning it as a potential key player in upcoming parliamentary elections. Despite the controversy, Braun has continued to promote his views, often linking historical debates to broader political agendas. The legal action against Braun followed months of pressure from Polish authorities, including Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek, who demanded that the European Parliament revoke Braun’s diplomatic immunity so he could be prosecuted domestically. In March 2026, the European Parliament complied with the request, enabling Polish investigators to pursue charges related to his Holocaust denial comments, as well as other alleged offenses from his 2025 presidential campaign. This decision was part of a larger effort by Polish officials to hold politicians accountable for spreading false or harmful historical narratives. Prosecutor Robert Janicki, who led the case against Braun, emphasized that the allegations were based on clear evidence. He stated that Braun’s statements “clearly contradict common historical knowledge,” pointing to extensive documentation and survivor testimony that confirms the use of gas chambers at Auschwitz. According to official figures, nearly 900,000 people died at the camp, predominantly Jews, as part of the Nazis’ systematic extermination program. Braun’s claims, therefore, are not just historically inaccurate but also deeply offensive to the victims and their descendants. The case has sparked widespread condemnation within Poland, particularly among historians and civil society groups. Many argue that the legal pursuit of Holocaust denial is essential to protecting the integrity of historical truth and preventing the spread of dangerous misinformation. At the same time, some critics suggest that the issue reflects broader tensions between Poland’s nationalist movements and international efforts to preserve collective memory of the Holocaust. As the legal process moves forward, the outcome of Braun’s case will likely influence future discussions about how Poland handles historical accountability and the role of political leaders in shaping national narratives. The IPN has already begun preparing for a trial, and the case is expected to proceed in the coming weeks. For now, the focus remains on the legal arguments and the weight of historical evidence that underpin the charges against one of Poland’s most prominent far-right figures.