The white “Z”, often seen on Russian tanks and uniforms, has become a pro-war symbol. In Germany, too, there could now be consequences for the use of the sign.
Several states have announced criminal penalties for using the Russian “Z” symbol in public. The Latin letter is used by supporters of the war in Ukraine.
Berlin’s interior senator Iris Spranger (SPD) told the Tagesspiegel: “If the context of the war is created by using the white Z, as can be seen on the Russian military vehicles, then of course that means advocating a war of aggression we too immediately.”
Lower Saxony and Bavaria announced criminal consequences for using the symbol on Friday. Bavaria’s Justice Minister Georg Eisenreich (CSU) told the German Press Agency (dpa): “We do not accept crimes that violate international law are approved.” The SPD parliamentary group in the Stuttgart state parliament as well as the CDU, FDP and SPD in North Rhine-Westphalia also spoke out in favor of a ban on the symbol. NRW refugee minister Joachim Stamp (FDP) said on Twitter: “The ‘Z’ as a symbol of Putin’s fascism should be banned throughout Germany.”
Agreement to war of aggression against Ukraine
Lower Saxony’s Interior Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) explained that anyone who uses the “Z” symbol to publicly express approval of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine must expect criminal consequences in Lower Saxony. “It is absolutely incomprehensible to me how the stylized ‘Z’ can be used even here to condone these crimes.
The basis for the actions of the federal states is paragraph 140 number two of the Criminal Code: According to this, behavior is punishable if it is to be understood as publicly flaunted approval of aggressive wars and is likely to disturb public peace. Up to three years imprisonment or a fine are possible.
Source: Stern
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