Polish Far-Right Leader Faces Charges for Holocaust Denial Over Auschwitz Gas Chamber Comments

Polish far-right leader and Member of the European Parliament Grzegorz Braun has been formally charged with Holocaust denial following his statements disputing the existence of gas chambers at Auschwitz. The charges were filed on August 25, 2026, after Braun described the gas chambers as a "hoax" in interviews conducted in July 2025, calling the testimonies about their use a "propaganda narrative." The prosecutor responsible for the case stated that Braun publicly and falsely denied the Nazi genocide at Auschwitz-Birkenau, contradicting established facts.

Braun denies the charges but does not dispute having made the statements attributed to him. The offense carries potential penalties including fines or up to three years in prison. After his remarks sparked controversy in Poland, local prosecutors sought to lift Braun's parliamentary immunity, which the European Parliament approved in March 2026, enabling the indictment.

Braun, known for a history of antisemitic remarks, previously disrupted a Hanukkah celebration in the Polish parliament with a fire extinguisher in 2023 and claimed that "Jews have far too much influence in Poland." He leads the far-right Confederation of the Polish Crown party, which currently polls at around 10% support ahead of Poland's 2027 general elections. His party is emerging as a significant political force, with some leading Polish political actors not ruling out cooperation with it.

The indictment against Braun highlights ongoing tensions in Poland regarding historical memory and far-right political influence, as the country prepares for upcoming elections.