Germany expels Russian diplomats over state-ordered killing

By FRANK JORDANS
Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) — Germany is expelling two Russian diplomats after a court concluded that Moscow was behind the killing of a Chechen man in Berlin two years ago. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called the state-ordered killing a “grave breach of German law.” She says Russia’s ambassador in Berlin has been summoned to discuss the court’s finding. After Wednesday’s verdict, the Russian ambassador rejected allegations of Russian involvement in the brazen 2019 killing. Judges at Berlin’s regional court convicted 56-year-old Vadim Krasikov of the killing, but said he had acted on the orders of Russian authorities who provided him with a false identity and the resources to carry out the hit. The victim, Zelimkhan “Tornike” Khangoshvili, 40, had been involved in fighting against Russian forces in Chechnya.