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"Z" symbol in St. Petersburg (symbolic image): Pro-Russian propaganda
Photo: ANATOLY MALTSEV / EPA
Investigators have arrested a man in Hamburg who is said to have spread Russian propaganda about the war against Ukraine on a Telegram channel.
The Hamburg public prosecutor announced that the 31-year-old German was suspected of having committed several crimes.
These include a violation of the War Weapons Control Act, attempted recruitment for foreign military service and the approval of criminal offenses.
The man is said to be behind the "The Other Germany" channel, which sees itself as a pro-Russian "national-Bolshevik" platform.
On at least four occasions he used the symbol "Z" in a clear context, thereby condoning a criminal offense under international law.
The letter is considered a symbol of support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
Photo with assault rifle
In one photo he is said to have posed with an assault rifle, possibly an AK-47.
During a search of his apartment in Hamburg-Kirchwerder in the morning, investigators found data carriers and several knives.
However, they did not find an assault rifle.
The state protection of the police had become aware of the suspect after information from the Hamburg Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
He is said to have planned his departure to Belarus for August 18.
According to SPIEGEL information, there is a suspicion that he wanted to take part in the war against Ukraine on the Russian side.
In Germany he apparently maintained contacts in the right-wing extremist scene.
With the arrest, the investigators forestalled his departure.
The police's special task force (SEK) was also on duty when it was accessed.
sms/dpa/AFP