After the prisoner exchange, debate on the release of the zoo killer
Krasikow was sentenced to life imprisonment at the end of 2021. He had, according to the conviction of the Berlin Higher Regional Court, shot a Georgian in the Tiergarten in August 2019. The act was allegedly carried out on behalf of Russian state authorities. The Kremlin confirmed on Friday that Krasikow is an agent of the Russian secret service FSB.
"The murderer commissioned by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin is free again, not even five years after the murder," said the relatives of the victim, who live in Germany, according to their lawyer. They spoke of a "devastating message".
"No one took the decision lightly to deport a murderer convicted to life imprisonment after just a few years in prison," said Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on Thursday evening about Krasikow's release. The federal government's decision was based on its "commitment to protecting German citizens imprisoned in Russia" and "solidarity with the USA". Washington also secured the release of its citizens, including journalist Evan Gershkovich, in the prisoner exchange.
Russian President Putin had already demanded the release of Krasikow months ago. He may have been a key figure in enabling the prisoner exchange involving a total of 26 people. Minister Buschmann instructed the Federal Prosecutor General, Jens Rommel, to release Krasikow.
The release of a convicted murderer is "a particularly bitter concession," said Buschmann on Thursday evening, acknowledging his responsibility as Minister of Justice. He referred to a balancing act between the interest in enforcing the sentence and the release of 16 people, including five Germans, who were imprisoned in Russia and Belarus. Buschmann emphasized: "As Minister of Justice, the principle of freedom was decisive in this case."
"It was a high price that Germany had to pay," said Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) in the "Rheinische Post" (Saturday edition). However, he is happy "for all the people who were unjustly imprisoned in Russian custody for months, years."
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) also expressed relief about the releases. However, she called it a "highly sensitive dilemma" that Germany had to release a Russian "hired killer" as well. The decision "rightly leads to much, much discussion."
"The propaganda effect for Putin is enormous," said CDU foreign policy expert Jürgen Hardt in the ARD "Morgenmagazin". The Russian president could now practically tell every hired killer: "You see, I get you out." At the same time, the release of those imprisoned in Russia and Belarus is "a positive message."
CDU politician Roderich Kiesewetter called the release of Krasikow worrying, but the prisoner exchange is "clearly a good solution from a human point of view". Kiesewetter criticized Russia in the SWR for making "hostage diplomacy a business model" in view of the criticized arbitrary arrests of Western citizens.
Not least the tragic death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny in a penal colony in February showed that "the lives of innocent people were acutely endangered," said Michael Roth (SPD), chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, to the "Tagesspiegel" (Saturday edition). "Criticism of this deal is legitimate and necessary. But the critics should also ask themselves how they would have decided in such a humanitarian matter."
"Despite being a German resident, the family of the Georgian victim expressed their concern over the potential release of Krasikow, who was convicted in Germany for his involvement in the Tiergarten shooting on behalf of Russian state authorities."
"Germany, along with its allies, played a significant role in securing the release of convicted Russian agent Krasikow, a move that has raised concerns among German politicians due to Krasikow's involvement in a high-profile murder case in Germany."
