The Russian one police has said it has arrested a 60-year-old man in St. Petersburg who has both Russian and US citizenship. He is said to have posted a provocative picture with the orange and black St. George ribbon on a Russian social network last year.
According to the Russian Telegram channel Baza, the image showed the St. George’s Ribbon wrapped around the big toe of a corpse, with the caption “The correct way to wear the St. George’s Ribbon.” The band originally dates back to Tsarist times. In Russia Under President Vladimir Putin, it has been a commemorative symbol since 2005, and in recent years has increasingly become a symbol of loyalty to Putin and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Since last December, “desecration” of the tape has been a criminal offense in Russia. In several former Soviet republics, however, the George Ribbon is banned as a sign of Russian aggression.
The Russian investigators accuse the man of having “defiled” the St. George Ribbon – and thus “a symbol of military glory in Russia”. He faces up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 70,000 euros.
Russia could use US citizens as bargaining chips
According to the dpa news agency, the US State Department is aware of the case. There is no higher priority than the safety of US citizens abroad, a spokesman said. The ministry is trying to provide appropriate support for Americans detained abroad.
Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against the neighboring Ukraine More than 21 months ago, several US citizens were arrested in Russia. Observers believe it is possible that the government in Moscow could use imprisoned Americans as a bargaining chip in its tense relationship with the United States.
The Russian one police has said it has arrested a 60-year-old man in St. Petersburg who has both Russian and US citizenship. He is said to have posted a provocative picture with the orange and black St. George ribbon on a Russian social network last year.
According to the Russian Telegram channel Baza, the image showed the St. George’s Ribbon wrapped around the big toe of a corpse, with the caption “The correct way to wear the St. George’s Ribbon.” The band originally dates back to Tsarist times. In Russia Under President Vladimir Putin, it has been a commemorative symbol since 2005, and in recent years has increasingly become a symbol of loyalty to Putin and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Since last December, “desecration” of the tape has been a criminal offense in Russia. In several former Soviet republics, however, the George Ribbon is banned as a sign of Russian aggression.