Buschmann justifies switching the zoo killer
Has Germany allowed itself to be pushed around by Putin? Many think so after the release of murderer Vadim Krasikov as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia. Even Justice Minister Buschmann calls this "a bitter concession," but explains the decision.
Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann has justified the release of the so-called Tiergarten murderer Vadim Krasikov, which he ordered as part of the prisoner exchange with Russia. "This is a particularly bitter concession," he said, taking responsibility as Justice Minister. "To enable 16 people to start a new life in freedom, we expelled a convicted murderer to Russia."
Buschmann, as the responsible minister, instructed the Federal Prosecutor General to release Krasikov. He had been sentenced to life imprisonment at the end of 2021. The Berlin Regional Court had found him guilty of shooting a Georgian in the Tiergarten in Berlin in August 2019. The court considered it proven that Krasikov had committed the murder on behalf of Russian state authorities.
Buschmann emphasized that German law provides for the possibility of release for extradition. "I had to weigh the significant interest in enforcing the sentence against the freedom of 16 people, some of whom were only in prison because they exercised their freedom of expression," he explained. "As Justice Minister, the principle was decisive: in doubt, for freedom." With the prisoner exchange, a new life in freedom has now begun for 16 people previously imprisoned in Russia and Belarus, Buschmann emphasized.
Among them is the German citizen Rico Krieger, who faced the death penalty in Belarus. "They were all Putin's prisoners - directly or indirectly." They faced a similar fate to that of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who died in a penal colony in February under unclear circumstances. In total, five German citizens were among those released.
Despite the controversy surrounding the release of convicted murderer Vadim Krasikov, other prisoners, including German citizen Rico Krieger, who was facing the death penalty in Belarus, have also been freed as part of the prisoner exchange. This exchange has resulted in 16 individuals starting a new life in freedom, although it has been criticized as a "bitter concession" by Justice Minister Buschmann.
