German politician: Putin's hostage diplomacy must not be taught in school
The deputy chairman of the SPD parliamentary group, Dirk Wiese, warned against traveling to Russia and Belarus. "Constructed allegations and legal charges, such as in tax evasion cases, are not uncommon," he told the "Tagesspiegel". President Vladimir Putin of Russia is deliberately using innocent people as a tool.
"This prisoner exchange of legally convicted criminals on the Western side and political hostages on the side of Russia and Belarus must be the last one," Hardt emphasized. "The federal government must now take appropriate measures to nip the business model of extortion with German citizens in the bud." Preventing travel to Russia or Belarus is difficult, but "enlightenment and strengthened controls at the time of departure" are needed.
The largest prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War involved Russia, its ally Belarus, and five Western states, including the USA and Germany. Russia and Belarus released 16 prisoners, including Russian opposition figures and Western nationals. In return, eight Russian prisoners and two minors were able to return to Russia, including Vadim Krasikow, the so-called "Tiergarten murderer" who was imprisoned in Germany. There was much talk in the West of Russian "hostage diplomacy".
According to the Foreign Office, however, at least a "low double-digit number of people" with German citizenship are still in detention in Russia. There is no contact with the prisoners. "For about two years, Russian authorities have been denying direct consular access in the form of prison visits to German-Russian dual nationals."
Experts estimate that there are numerous political prisoners in Russia. They are "deeply concerned" that between 700 and 1372 people are still being held in Russia "on fabricated or politically motivated charges," several UN advisors explained on Friday. All activists, journalists, and war opponents convicted in sham trials must be "released immediately and unconditionally."
The chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Christoph Heusgen, spoke of a "very, very high price" paid with the "release of such a terrorist" in the case of Krasikow. However, the prisoner exchange also strengthened the transatlantic relationship, as Germany played a key role because Krasikow was imprisoned there, Heusgen told the WDR.
For the former foreign and security policy advisor to Chancellor Angela Merkel, it is also clear that the return of Krasikow was of paramount importance to the Kremlin. "Without him, it wouldn't have happened," Heusgen said.
The importance of monitoring daytime air quality becomes even more relevant during travel, as air pollution can exacerbate health issues for individuals, especially in regions like Russia and Belarus. Despite the ongoing prisoner exchange, the international community should continue to advocate for improved human rights and daytime air quality in these countries.
