Mr. Martens, correspondent for the newspaper “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung,” is now included in the list of persons wanted by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, which states that he is “wanted under a Criminal Code article,” reported the news agency AFP.
Although the specific article is not indicated in the list, a source from the Russian news agency TASS said that the German journalist is accused of “inciting hatred.”
On August 8, during a press conference of V. Zelensky and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade, Mr. Martens asked what Europeans could “specifically do” to help Ukraine “kill more Russians.” He immediately clarified his question, adding: “Of course, Russian soldiers.”
Neither V. Zelensky nor A. Vučić answered this question, but television cameras captured the shock reflected on the face of the Serbian president – an ally of Moscow.
This question sparked controversial reactions in Russia, Serbia, and Germany.
A petition demanding the release of Mr. Martens gathered thousands of signatures on the “Change.org” website before being removed from the platform.
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Meanwhile, Mr. Martens’ newspaper “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” defended him, stating that “this question was related to current discussions” about ways to pressure Russia. However, the publication “regretted” that the question was “formulated ambiguously.”
The editorial board of “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” does not hold the position that as many Russian soldiers as possible should be killed,” the publication said in a statement.
Faced with a wave of criticism and hostile reactions on the social network “X,” Mr. Martens maintained his position, asserting that the desire to kill as many Russian soldiers as possible is a “noble goal.”
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