The German government has “acknowledged” but strongly condemns the threatening statements of Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, but at the same time does not see it as justified to strengthen the chancellor’s protection, wrote Kárpáthír, following an article in Der Tagesspiegel.

Medvedev spoke following the U.S. ouster of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, saying he would even consider the kidnapping of Friedrich Merz as part of “a special operation.”

“The kidnapping of the same neo-Nazi Merz could be a great twist in this carnival series (…). He would have reason to be held accountable even in Germany. That’s why it wouldn’t be a shame to have him,” the newspaper quoted Medvedev as saying.

Government spokesman Sebastian Hille told a press conference in Berlin that the threat 
had been “noted” and condemned, but the current situation did not justify raising the alert level. He added that “existing security measures are adequate” and that the chancellor is “well and reliably protected.”