According to Reuters, German prosecutors searched the house of pro-Kremlin activists – #Reuters #German #prosecutors #searched #house #proKremlin #activists
Summary Prosecutors say officers took computer and documents Kolbasnikova: We did not violate German law
BERLIN/NEW YORK, March 27 (Reuters) – German prosecutors said on Monday they were searching the home of two pro-Kremlin activists, looking for evidence corroborating a Reuters report that the couple donated money to buy radios for Russian soldiers in Ukraine.
Reuters january wrote that Max Schlund and his romantic partner Yelena Kolbasnikova used the funds they collected from their supporters in Germany to fight in Ukraine Russia donated to the division of the army and these funds were used to buy radios, headphones and telephones.
European Union sanctions Russia prohibits financing the supply or purchase of certain goods for the military. The prohibited list includes radio devices. Under German law, up to five years for anyone who violates the sanctions imprisonment punishment is provided.
Ulf Willuhn, a representative of Cologne state prosecutors, said officers executed a search warrant at the couple’s address on Monday morning and seized computers and folders containing written documents.
Kolbasnikova, who asked the reporter of “Reuters” to comment on this step of the prosecutors, said: “You have nothing to record. Our time has not yet come, and your time is running out. Because neither I nor my husband have violated German laws. In any case, justice will be restored.”
Willuhn said prosecutors will use the evidence they seized to assess whether Schlund and Kolbasnikova violated Section 18 of Germany’s foreign trade and payments act, which provides penalties for violating international sanctions.
According to him, the search was partially carried out by the Reuters agency in Ukraine Russia was informed about the donation to purchase equipment for the army division.
In addition, he is the spouse of prosecutors in Germany crime said that he was looking for evidence on whether Article 140 of the Code was violated or not.
This line of inquiry relates to claims in German media that the couple displayed the “Z” symbol used by supporters of the Russian occupation and were pro-Kremlin. military has reposted a recruitment ad for contractors.
Monday social In an audio message sent to his supporters in the media, Kolbasnikova said that he was not surprised by the search, because the German authorities political said he committed an “illegality” to silence opponents.
“We will continue to fight… God is on our side, and Moscow is behind us. Three cheers for the win!” he said.
In a separate message to supporters, he said prosecutors were trying to build a case against him and his partner for aiding the Russian military.
Kolbasnikova’s supporters support freedom of speech and against what he calls “Russophobia”. protest called to participate in the pre-planned rally on March 29 in Cologne.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said this month that Kolbasnikova was being persecuted by German authorities.
Reporting by Maria Tsvetkova in New York and Marie Saito in Berlin; Edited by Alison Williams
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2023-03-28 05:31:32
Source – reuters
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