A young Ukrainian woman living in Germany is facing up to five years in prison over her prolific pro-Putin activism.
Putin-loving Elena Kolbasnikova is accused of defending the invasion of Ukraine and extolling the Wagner Group paramilitary organisation.
She is even accused of delivering aid supplies to the Russian Armed Forces.
But now two investigations are underway against the Ukrainian citizen, who is accused by the German authorities of “reward and approval of crimes”.
Blonde Kolbasnikova raised eyebrows when she told German media in May last year: “Russia is not an aggressor. Russia is helping to end the war in Ukraine.”
That year, she led a motorcade with around 1,000 pro-Russian participants through Cologne.
She was scheduled to appear at the city’s district court this Wednesday (29th March).
However, her trial had to be postponed after she brought fellow Putin sympathisers along with her and they were met outside the courthouse by counter-protesters.
Among her supporters was the far-right politician Markus Beisicht, and the police had to intervene.
Earlier this week, on Monday, Kolbasnikova was visited by police officers at the home she
shares with her husband.
The visit came after she allegedly glorified the notorious Wagner Group, which has an estimated 20,000 to 50,000 fighters in Ukraine, on social media.
She is also accused of using the ‘Z’ symbol, which is seen as a sign of support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, online.
Using the symbol is a criminal offence in Germany.
Kolbasnikova is also accused of delivering military goods, including tents and radios, to Russian soldiers during a trip to the Russian-occupied Donbas region.
If convicted, local media report, she faces up to five years in prison.
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Story By: William McGee, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Central European News
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