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Sahra Wagenknecht on the ARD talk show "Hard but fair"
Photo:
Oliver Ziebe / dpa
After the appearance of Sahra Wagenknecht in the program "Hart aber fair" on Monday, the WDR and moderator Luis Klamroth came under criticism.
It is about a now corrected statement about rapes in the Ukraine war.
Klamroth vehemently contradicted Wagenknecht on the show when the left-wing politician said war crimes were being committed by both sides.
Klamroth said there was no evidence of rape by Ukrainian soldiers and that rape was part of Russia's war strategy.
Referring to the UN, a clip said: "Without exception, the issue of rape is always about Russian soldiers." It is a "military strategy."
Wagenknecht disagreed that the UN had clearly said that war crimes happened in every war.
It is "pointless" to talk about "which side commits more war crimes."
The war of words continued: "Ms. Wagenknecht, now we have a problem," said Klamroth.
It is his responsibility as a moderator "not to leave false reports untouched." He showed her what the UN really says about rape.
In the fact check of the program, which is regularly published on the WDR website, the editors now state that they are now aware of a corresponding UN report in which sexualized violence in Ukrainian-controlled areas is also discussed.
While most of the crimes committed are attributable to the Russians, there have also been cases in areas controlled by Ukraine.
According to WDR, the reference to the report was subsequently added.
Criticism on social networks
Since then, there has been criticism of the broadcaster's approach in the social networks – and also from Klamroth.
The hashtag “#KlamrothLuegt” is trending on Twitter, for example.
Wagenknecht himself tweeted, published an abridged excerpt of the fact check and wrote: "Is it really asking too much for the editors to do thorough research beforehand (!) before the moderator unjustly accuses me of false information in front of millions?" And: "It's a violent crime one too many!«
While still on the show, Wagenknecht exchanged blows with Green Party politician Katrin Göring-Eckardt because Wagenknecht had talked about rape as assaults that were "horrible and horrible".
"This is violence, not assault," Goering-Eckardt interjected.
The other guests also objected loudly.
hba