German Justice Minister urges against traveling to Russia
Photo: German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (GettyImages)
German Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann categorically warns German citizens against traveling to Russia. He did so against the backdrop of a large prisoner exchange that took place last week, according to Stern.
"No one has been safe in Russia for a long time. And I strongly advise everyone not to travel to a country where no one is safe unless it is necessary," Buschmann says.
He notes that he could not dispel the concern that Putin might seize more foreigners to create more political prisoners.
At the same time, Buschmann emphasized that the exchange increased the risk involved.
"Almost 40 journalists have been killed under Vladimir Putin. Countless journalists have been arbitrarily detained," says Buschmann.
Commenting on the recent exchange, Buschmann notes that he doubted until the last moment that Russia would fulfill its part of the agreement. He adds that even when the plane with the released political prisoners landed at the Cologne/Bonn airport, the German side was not sure.
"That was my biggest concern - that Russia had poisoned them before the flight. But according to what we know so far, thank God that is not the case," Buschmann adds.
Exchange of political prisoners between West and Russia
The day before, the West agreed with Russia to release political prisoners.
Eventually, on August 1, Russia and Western countries conducted a large prisoner exchange. Twenty-six people were released.
Russia handed over Kremlin critics, convicted journalists, and politicians to the West. In return, the United States and its partner countries released spies, and Germany extradited killer Vadim Krasikov. He was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of former Chechen field commander Zelimkhan Khangoshvili in Berlin.
According to Reuters, negotiations on the exchange lasted for two years.
