Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper): The Azov Battalion a Ukrainian military unit with neo-Nazi ties, canceled a controversial recruitment event in Brussels after a police investigation raised safety concerns. The tour aims to collect funds and find volunteers for the war effort in Ukraine.
The event was supposed to happen on 28 July in Ganshoren. The Third Ukrainian Assault Brigade linked to the Azov Battalion with neo-Nazi ties is traveling across Europe holding events to inform people and urging Ukrainians to join the military. The events were set up with the NGO Promote Ukraine but because places in Berlin, Hamburg, Rotterdam and now Brussels canceled some sessions couldn’t happen. On 31st July at evening the Ganshoren city hall wanted to cancel the even, as mentioned by Promote Ukraine on 1st August. The NGO tried to fix this with the venue but the cancellation happened because of the 3rd Assault Brigade who supposedly got directions from President of Ukraine Volodomyr Zelenskyy. The Brigade said “In Ukraine or other places we always follow all safety rules and this time we won’t put our people in danger.”
Why was the Controversial Azov Battalion Recruitment event canceled in Brussels?
The Brussels West police started looking into possible safety issues with the event last week. They were worried the event could be risky so they are checking everything carefully to make sure it’s safe for everyone. They want to make sure the event is secure and handle any problems that might come up. Mayor Sabrina Baraka from Ganshoren,who used to be part of the MR party told Belga News Agency that the investigation is ongoing. She said the Brigade itself decided to cancel the event. It has been said that the cancellation was a precaution because of what they found in the security investigation.
The Brigade spokesperson told Belga News Agency that the tour aims to collect money and find volunteers. A social media post about the tour says people who want to join the Brigade can talk to soldiers directly. They are trying to get new members by giving them details about joining.
Promote Ukraine says the tour is just for sharing information not for recruiting. Even though there is disagreement the tour has already happened in Poland on Monday and Tuesday. They plan to hold more sessions in the Czech Republic and Lithuania soon to give details to people interested in those places.
