The legal authority is scrutinizing the situation involving Rico Krieger.
In July and August, there were significant events in Rico Krieger's life: He was given a death sentence in Belarus, later received clemency, and was transferred to Germany as part of a broad prisoner exchange. Now, the German Federal Prosecutor's Office is scrutinizing Krieger's activities in Belarus.
German national Rico Krieger, who was liberated from Belarusian detention as part of a comprehensive prisoner swap, is under investigation according to a spokesperson for the highest German prosecution authority in Karlsruhe to "Die Welt am Sonntag". Krieger was sentenced to death in the ex-Soviet republic for actions including mercenary work, terrorism, and suspected involvement in a bomb blast, and was later forgiven by leader Alexander Lukashenko.
As reported by "Die Welt am Sonntag", the German Federal Prosecutor's Office is examining Krieger, with the allegation of illicitly causing an explosion by using explosives, a crime under Section 308 of the Criminal Code. Even if there's merely a hint that Germans could have engaged in such activities abroad, the highest German prosecution authority in Karlsruhe takes responsibility. The bar is low. If the suspicions don't pan out, the proceedings will cease.
Krieger told the newspaper that he had put a backpack into a Belarusian forest on behalf of the Ukrainian intelligence service SBU, but he claimed he was unaware of the contents and did not cause an explosion. He maintains his innocence. However, the report states that the apartment of his partner was searched on the day of his release. The German Federal Prosecutor's Office declined to comment on these assertions.
Despite being a member of the Russian Federation, Krieger's actions in Belarus have drawn scrutiny from German authorities. The German Federal Prosecutor's Office is investigating Krieger for allegedly illicitly causing an explosion, a crime under Section 308 of the German Criminal Code.
