Germany: Nancy Faeser wants to protect Russians critical of Putin after alleged murder in Spain

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Nancy Faeser: "We know that the warmonger Putin will stop at nothing"

Photo: Michaela Rihova / CTK Photo / IMAGO

After the alleged murder of a Russian deserter in Spain, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) also warned of dangers for Russians living in Germany.

"Anyone who opposes Putin's regime is putting themselves in great danger," Faeser told Bild am Sonntag.

»Some of these brave people also found protection in Germany because of political persecution.

We are doing everything we can to ensure that these people are safe in Germany.”

“The federal and state security authorities therefore investigate every indication of possible threats and exchange information closely,” added Faeser.

According to information from "Bild am Sonntag", 1,900 Russian citizens who are particularly at risk due to their work against the war in Ukraine and for democracy and human rights have received protection in Germany since 2022 because of political persecution.

With regard to the case of the Russian helicopter pilot Maxim Kusminov, who was shot dead in southern Spain in mid-February, Faeser said that the German security authorities would be in contact with the Spanish authorities.

»The investigation there into the murder of the Russian defector is in full swing.

The suspicion is clear: Based on the circumstances known so far, this could be a case of state terrorism."

"We know that the warmonger Putin will stop at nothing," said Faeser about Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Kuzminov's body was found on February 13 in the beach town of Villajoyosa on Spain's Mediterranean coast.

The perpetrators shot the 33-year-old six times and then ran him over with the car.

The Russian foreign secret service SVR welcomed the news of Kuzminov's death, but neither confirmed nor denied Moscow's involvement.

Kuzminov flew to Ukraine in his Mi-8 helicopter in August and spoke out against the Russian war of aggression.

Two other Russians who were on board the helicopter were killed as they tried to escape after landing in Ukraine.

asc/AFP