German Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief of staff is urging Russia to support the investigation of a killing prosecutors say appears to have ordered by Russian or Chechen authorities, and says he has “no understanding" for outraged reactions from Moscow.
Germany expelled two Russian diplomats on Wednesday over the brazen killing of a Georgian man on the streets of Berlin in August. German federal prosecutors said evidence suggested the slaying was ordered either by Moscow or authorities in Russia’s republic of Chechnya.
Russia’s ambassador to Germany rejected the accusations and threatened consequences for the expulsion of its diplomats.
The Chancellery, office building of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, is illuminated prior to the official presentation of the chancellery's christmas trees in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019. (AP PhotoMichael Sohn)
“We see the expulsions as a very urgent signal to the Russian side to support us immediately and comprehensively in clearing up the identity and background of the suspected perpetrator,” Merkel's chief of staff, Helge Braun, was quoted Friday as telling Der Spiegel magazine.
“Against the backdrop of a lack of support for months, I have absolutely no understanding for Russia being indignant or even considering counter-measures,” he added.
A suspect is in custody in Germany.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel gestures during a joint press conference with Croatia's prime minister Andrej Plenkovic in Zagreb, Croatia, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. Merkel attends the European Peoples Party (EPP) congress in the Croatian capital.(AP PhotoDarko Bandic)
Merkel is due to see Russian President Vladimir Putin at a previously scheduled four-way meeting in Paris Monday with the presidents of Ukraine and France. The government said Friday that Merkel and Putin also will hold a bilateral meeting.