Russia Places German Journalist Michael Martens on Wanted List

Russia is seeking to add German journalist Michael Martens to an international wanted list following his questioning of President Volodymyr Zelensky about potential European assistance to kill more Russian soldiers. Martens, a correspondent for Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, could face up to six years in prison if convicted under Russia's Criminal Code for inciting hatred.

According to TASS, Martens was initially only listed in the Interior Ministry's wanted person database, but will be declared wanted internationally after the necessary procedural steps. Zelensky visited Serbia on Aug. 7 for talks with Serbian leaders, and Martens attended a joint press conference in Belgrade on Aug. 8, asking what Europeans could specifically do to help Ukraine kill more Russians.

Neither Zelensky nor Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić responded to the question, but Vučić appeared visibly upset. Martens clarified that he meant Russian soldiers, not civilians, and drew criticism from Russia, Serbia and Germany, leading to an online petition calling for Martens to be fired. Serbia, which has resisted Western sanctions against Russia, has a history of close ties to Russia.

Martens has lived in Serbia, Kyiv, and St. Petersburg, and has written extensively about Yugoslavia and the Bosnian War. FAZ defended Martens, stating that his question was referring to current debates on pressuring Russia, but regretted the ambiguity of his phrasing. Despite the criticism, Martens defended his position, stating that wanting Russian soldiers to be killed is a "noble objective."

The Russian Embassy in Berlin has requested a legal assessment from German prosecutors, alleging that Martens' remarks could constitute incitement to hatred or calls for illegal acts.