The early release of convicted Russian murderer Vadim Krasikov in Germany as part of a large-scale prisoner exchange deal has disappointed the victim’s family, who described his release as “devastating news”.
Speaking through their lawyer Inga Schulz in Berlin, the family told dpa: “On the one hand, we are happy that someone’s life was saved.
“At the same time, we are very disappointed that there appears to be no law in the world, even in countries where the law is the highest authority.”
Krasikov was released on Thursday as part of a large-scale prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus and several Western countries.
In exchange for the transfer of Krasikov and nine other individuals previously detained in the US, Norway, Poland and Slovenia, 16 Western citizens and Russian opposition figures were released.
He was serving a life sentence for killing an ethnic Chechen exile, born in Georgia, in broad daylight, in a central park in Berlin, in 2019 – on orders from Russian state authorities.
The Berlin Court of Appeal sentenced the man to life in prison for murder in 2021. The court ruled that the crime was particularly serious, making early release after 15 years unlikely.
The victim’s family participated in the trial as joint plaintiffs.
The victim sought protection in Germany. He led a militia fighting against Russia during the second Chechen war. Russian authorities labeled him a Chechen terrorist, holding him responsible for numerous deaths among Russian security forces.
