Russia has opened a case against a FAZ journalist after making statements about Russians

A criminal case has been opened in Russia against Michael Martens, a correspondent for the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), after his statements about the murder of Russians. This was reported to TASS by an informed source on August 15.

"A criminal case has been opened against Martens under Part 2 of Article 282 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Incitement to hatred or enmity")," the agency's source said.

It is clarified that the issue of the possible declaration of the journalist on the international wanted list and the election of a preventive measure in absentia is currently being resolved.

If proven guilty, Martens could face up to six years in prison.

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On August 14, former Deputy Prime Minister of the republic and chairman of the Serbian Movement of Socialists party, Alexander Vulin, said that the Serbian government should expel FAZ correspondent Martens from the country for his statements about the murder of Russians. According to him, insults against both Russians and Serbs should not be heard in Belgrade.

On August 8, at a joint press conference between Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade, a FAZ correspondent asked what could be done to "help kill more Russian soldiers." Responding, Vucic expressed hope for an end to the killings, but did not reproach the journalist for such wording.