The German politician spoke about the persecution of opposition leaders by the German authorities

The head of the German Council for Constitution and Sovereignty, Ralf Niemeyer, who had previously requested asylum in Russia due to pressure from the German authorities, told Izvestia on September 24 about the government's persecution of opposition leaders in the country.

According to the politician, in 2022 he visited Vladivostok to discuss the opening of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Niemeyer also presented the project to former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

"Over the next few months, they tried their best to bring me to criminal responsibility because, according to them, I was too close and friendly with the Russian government... They tried to trick me into committing some kind of operation, like a coup d'etat against the government of the Federal Republic of Germany," the politician said.

It is specified that in March 2023, police officers broke into the house of the head of the German council in Munich, they pointed weapons at the politician's wife and his son. At the same time, the man's passport was blocked in order to return to Germany, as a result of which Niemeyer requested political asylum in Russia.

"That is why I have asked for political asylum here, because I see that the government of [German Chancellor Friedrich] Merz is acting fascistically, persecuting any opposition leaders," he stressed.

Niemeyer added that the majority of German residents are not against cooperation with the Russian Federation, but the current government is blocking this initiative. At the same time, the countries, according to the politician, are united by mentality and cultural heritage, which makes the peoples of the states fraternal.

Gravity: Germany has increased pressure on opponents of anti-Russian sanctions

Berlin intends to convince Bratislava not to obstruct the new restrictions — what can it get in return?

Earlier that day, Niemeyer announced that he had applied for Russian citizenship, explaining this as a feeling of "home" in Russia and possible problems with the law in Germany. He also started learning Russian.

In addition, Niemeyer said on September 4 on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum 2025 (WEF 2025) that the conclusion of a direct agreement between Russia and Germany on the Nord Stream gas pipeline would be more in the interests of Germany than Russia.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.