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"Z" symbol and Russian flag (in Novosibirsk): Supporters of Putin's Ukraine war
Photo: IMAGO/Alexandr Kryazhev / IMAGO/SNA
In Würzburg, unknown persons have attached symbols measuring around 80 by 80 centimeters to the property boundary of the Evangelical Gethsemane Church.
Now the "Z" is emblazoned in five places on the church wall as a sign of support for the Russian army in the Ukraine war.
This was announced by the police headquarters in Lower Franconia on Monday.
According to the current status of the investigation, the crime happened between Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
The congregation responded to this war symbolism with a spontaneous call for prayer to show that they were "for peace in Russia and in Ukraine, for peace in Würzburg," as the invitation on Sunday evening said.
According to "Mainpost", Würzburg's Mayor Christian Schuchardt and Dean Wenrich Slenczka will also take part in the peace prayer.
According to initial estimates, the amount of material damage caused to the Wall should be in the low four-digit range.
The criminal police took over the further investigation.
In the room are the accusation of damaging property and the initial suspicion of a criminal offense under Section 140 of the Criminal Code.
Bavaria, Lower Saxony and Berlin recently announced that they would punish the public use of the "Z" symbol.
The countries refer to Paragraph 140: 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.
In Russia, the Latin letter Z is displayed on cars, buildings, or T-shirts to show support for Russia's war against Ukraine.
Also in Würzburg, a motorcade with Russian flags caused a stir on Sunday afternoon.
According to the police, around 170 vehicles were honking their horns and flying Russian flags.
According to the city of Würzburg, the parade was registered with the title "Demonstration against discrimination against Germans from Russia".
ala/AFP