Germany condemns Medvedev’s statements about kidnapping Merz
The German government has strongly condemned comments by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev regarding a possible attempt to kidnap Chancellor Friedrich Merz, reports Welt.
Medvedev recently stated that after the events in Venezuela, he could easily imagine a similar operation targeting leaders of other countries, including Chancellor Merz. “Kidnapping the same neo-Nazi Merz could make a great plot twist in this carnival series. At this point, little can surprise anyone. There is some realism in such a scenario. There are grounds to prosecute him even in Germany, so it wouldn’t be a pity. Especially since the citizens are suffering for no reason,” he said.
Deputy government spokesperson Sebastian Hille in Berlin responded: “We strongly condemn such threats.” He added that the government sees no need to increase security measures for the protection of the Chancellor due to these statements.
“The existing security measures have proven effective and provide protection appropriate to the specific situation and threat level faced by the Chancellor,” Hille said. He also emphasized that Chancellor Merz is “well and reliably protected,” and that the Federal Criminal Police Service security staff “are among the best in the world.”
Separately, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, stated that Finland “must pay” for its Russophobia. He was commenting on the New Year’s address of Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who said that relations with Russia have changed forever. Medvedev added that the country is already “paying,” and stressed that “citizens are footing the bill.”
