German prosecutors announced on Monday that they had searched the homes of two prominent pro-Kremlin activists on suspicion of violating a law governing the production and transfer of weapons, Reuters reported.

Olena Kolbasnikova and Max SchlundPhoto: Christoph Hardt / imago stock&people / Profimedia

The activists in question, Max Schlund and his partner Olena Kolbasnikova, have held numerous rallies since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year to protest Germany’s support for Kyiv.

In January of this year, Reuters reported that they donated funds collected from their supporters in Germany to a Russian army unit fighting in Ukraine, and that the money was used to buy equipment ranging from broadcast stations to headphones and mobile devices.

In March, German prosecutors searched the couple’s home to find evidence to corroborate the Reuters report.

Ulf Willun, a spokesman for the Cologne prosecutor’s office, confirmed on Monday that the searches were carried out on suspicion of violating the arms control law, but denied that they were connected to the help of Schlund and Kolbasnikova’s unit, which has been fighting in Donbas from the east. Ukraine.

Pro-Russian activists accused the German authorities of “lawlessness”

The law cited by German prosecutors regulates the production, sale and transfer of weapons ranging from hand grenades to assault rifles and fighter jets.

A supporter of the two pro-Russian activists wrote on Telegram on Monday that police “forced entry” into their home and injured Schlund during the search.

Willun said that he did not know about such information and did not want to comment on it. Shlund and Kolbasnikova could not be reached for comment.

Earlier, Kolbasnikova said that the German authorities are “committing crimes” in an attempt to silence political opponents.

Markus Beisicht, the couple’s lawyer and a participant in the couple’s rallies, told Reuters that their apartment was damaged in Monday’s raids and that Schlund was left with minor bruises from the beatings.

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