BERLIN, March 28 – People displaying the letter “Z” in Germany to symbolize support for Russia’s war in Ukraine could be prosecuted, an Interior Ministry spokesman said on Monday.
The interior minister of the state of Berlin previously said city authorities would jump to cases where the Z symbol is used to support Russia’s aggression, after Bavaria and Lower Saxony announced they too would punish such acts.
A spokesman for the federal government’s Interior Ministry told reporters: “Of course, the letter Z as such is not prohibited, but its use may in individual cases constitute an endorsement of Russian war of aggression.”
The letter Z was used as a mark on Russian military vehicles taking part in the conflict and was adopted by Russians supporting the war, being prominent on flags and at pro-Kremlin rallies. Continue reading
“Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is a criminal act, and anyone who publicly approves of this war of aggression can also be liable to prosecution,” the Interior Ministry spokesman said at a regular government press conference.
“The federal security authorities are keeping an eye on it, and in this respect we welcome the announcement that several federal states will also examine individual cases to determine whether it could be a criminal offense and take appropriate measures,” he said.
Reporting by Thomas Escritt and Paul Carrel Editing by Miranda Murray