A family from Rinteln reportedly used the “Z” symbol to express their approval of the Russian attack on Ukraine. In Hildesheim, meanwhile, cars of refugees were daubed with the symbol.
The police have initiated criminal proceedings against the family from Rinteln in the district of Schaumburg because the “Z” and a Russian flag were stuck to their vehicle. “The state protection of the police was switched on,” the police said on Tuesday. According to the information, both a 52-year-old family member and his 31-year-old son insulted the police officers when they spoke to the two about the symbol and took the data of the accused. Further criminal proceedings were initiated against both of them.
Unknown people daub refugees’ cars
In the district of Hildesheim, the police are investigating unknown persons who smeared the “Z” on the cars of people who fled the war in Ukraine. A 24-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man who were housed with other people from Ukraine in a former senior citizens’ center in Söhlde were affected, the police said on Tuesday. The victims’ cars have Ukrainian license plates. The “Z” was therefore smeared on the windshield.
Symbol of consent to war
A white “Z” has often been seen on Russian tanks and uniforms since the beginning of the war of aggression. What the “Z” stands for exactly is unclear. Despite this, the sign has become a symbol of consent to Russia’s attack on Ukraine. It is also shown outside of the war zone on buildings, cars and clothing. One theory is that the “Z” could be the first letter of the word “Zapad” (“West”). This could mean the direction of movement of the troops or that the tanks are from western parts of the country. Another explanation is that the “Z” stands for “Za Pobedu” – “For Victory”. Others see the “Z” as a reference to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose surname is transliterated with a “Z” in many languages.
Pistorius: Wearing the “Z” symbol in public is a criminal offense
At the end of last week, Lower Saxony’s interior minister, Boris Pistorius (SPD), announced that wearing the “Z” war symbol in public constituted a criminal offense. The Lower Saxony police are required to check every incident to see whether the presentation of the “Z” has a criminally relevant connection with the Ukraine war. If there is reasonable suspicion, the officials should consistently pursue the people concerned, Pistorius said on Friday. Anyone who shows the “Z” in public to express support for Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine faces imprisonment for up to three years or a fine. In addition to Lower Saxony, the federal states of Bavaria, Bremen and Berlin have also announced that wearing the symbol will be punished. North Rhine-Westphalia has announced an examination in this regard.
