Russian embassy in Berlin demands legal assessment in the Michael Martens case

The Russian embassy in Berlin has asked the Berlin public prosecutor's office for a legal assessment in the case of the F.A.Z.'s Balkan correspondent, Michael Martens. On Thursday, the authority confirmed receipt of a corresponding letter at the request of the Evangelical Press Service (epd). At a press conference in Belgrade in early August, Martens asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky what the Europeans could do to help Ukraine “kill more Russian soldiers.” The F.A.Z. later explained that the question had been worded ambiguously and expressed regret.

The Russian Embassy said on Wednesday that given the statements "regarding the possibility of 'compliance in the murder of Russians' and the lack of a public apology," it appeared that the wording used by Martens "was consciously and deliberately chosen." The Berlin public prosecutor's office was asked for a legal assessment as to whether the statements contained "indications of criminal offenses under Sections 111, 130 and 140 of the Criminal Code of the Federal Republic of Germany (incitement to hatred, public incitement to commit crimes, public endorsement of crimes)." The Berlin public prosecutor's office said it was now checking whether there was an initial suspicion. "This examination is legally mandatory. This does not involve the initiation of an investigation. The presumption of innocence applies," the spokesman told the epd.

The Russian embassy emphasized that it also reserved the right to use “the available legal means” of the Russian law enforcement authorities against Martens. The Russian state news agency Tass had previously reported that Martens was being investigated in Russia for publicly inciting hatred and hostility.