After fake phone call with Klitschko - state security determined

Created: 06/25/2022Updated: 06/25/2022 11:28 am

Franziska Giffey during a press conference.

© Michael Kappeler/dpa

Berlin's Governing Mayor Giffey has fallen victim to digital manipulation.

She ran a video link with a person posing as Kyiv Mayor Klitschko.

State security is investigating.

Berlin/Madrid - After a fake phone call by an alleged Vitali Klitschko with Berlin's governing mayor Franziska Giffey, the real Mayor of Kiev is hoping for a talk with the SPD politician soon.

After learning about the fake call to Giffey and Madrid Mayor José Luis Martinez-Almeida, Klitschko told the "Bild" newspaper: "I hope that we can talk on the phone via my official channels soon." Klitschko added: "I then you don't need a translator."

During a video call, Giffey had doubts as to whether she was actually connected to Kiev's mayor as planned.

The conversation then ended prematurely.

The Senate Chancellery assumes digital manipulation: "Apparently we are dealing with deep fakes," said Senate spokeswoman Lisa Frerichs.

State security determined

Meanwhile, the state security service responsible for politically motivated criminal offenses is investigating.

A political motive is assumed, said a police spokesman for the German Press Agency.

In Madrid, too, Mayor José Luis Martinez-Almeida quickly became suspicious of the video call with the alleged mayor Klitschko and broke off the conversation, as confirmed by mayor's office spokesman Daniel Bardavío Colebrook.

A complaint was filed against unknown persons for using a false identity and the mayor's office in Kyiv was informed.

Martinez-Almeida will call the real Klitschko today.

dpa