Germany may prosecute use of pro-Russia ‘Z’ symbol

Authorities say the usage of the letter in some instances might represent an endorsement of Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Following the February 24 invasion of Ukraine, authorities supporters inside and outdoors Russia have used the letter to indicate solidarity with Russian forces combating in Ukraine [Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters]

People who show the letter “Z” in Germany to symbolise help for Russia’s struggle in Ukraine could possibly be liable to prosecution, an Inside Ministry spokesperson has stated.

The inside minister for the state of Berlin stated earlier on Monday that metropolis authorities would soar on instances of the Z image getting used to endorse Russia’s aggression, following bulletins by Bavaria and Decrease Saxony that they too would punish such acts.

A spokesperson for the federal authorities’s Inside Ministry instructed reporters: “The letter Z as such is in fact not forbidden, however its use could in particular person instances represent an endorsement of the Russian struggle of aggression.”

Following the February 24 invasion, authorities supporters inside and outdoors Russia have used the letter, which doesn't exist within the Cyrillic alphabet utilized in Russia, to indicate solidarity with the Russian armed forces combating within the neighbouring nation. The image can also be seen on Russian army tanks deployed in Ukraine.

“The Russian struggle of aggression on the Ukraine is a prison act, and whoever publicly approves of this struggle of aggression also can make himself liable to prosecution,” the Inside Ministry spokesperson stated.

“The federal safety authorities have a watch on this, and on this respect we welcome the announcement that a number of federal states may also look at in particular person instances whether or not this could possibly be a prison act and to take motion accordingly,” he stated.

There have been varied theories put ahead for the reason that Z image was first seen emblazoned on army hardware, alongside different letters, together with V and O. They've ranged from recommendations that they stood for the primary letters of the complete title of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy, to suspicions that they symbolize the areas the place the troopers working them had been often based mostly.

An Instagram submit by the Ministry of Defence urged that the Z image stands for “za pobedu”, or “for victory”.