MOSCOW, October 10. /TASS/. Investigative proceedings have been completed in a criminal case involving incitement to hatred or enmity opened in Russia against Michael Martens, a correspondent for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), following his remarks about the killing of Russians, a source told TASS.

"The investigative proceedings against the accused, Martens, have been completed. He is being prosecuted in absentia," the source said.

At a press conference by Vladimir Zelensky and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade on August 8, Martens asked what European countries could do to "help kill more Russians." The online petition was subsequently launched calling for the journalist to be fired. Later, FAZ expressed regret over the "ambiguously worded" question, adding the editorial desk does not share this stance. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova slammed Martens’ calls for the killings of Russians as unacceptable and criminal.

A source told TASS on August 15 that a criminal case has been opened against Martens on charges of inciting hatred or hostility (part 2, article 282 of the Russian Criminal Code). If he is found guilty, he will face up to six years in a penal colony. On August 26, sources involved in the case told TASS that Russia had issued an international arrest warrant for Martens, who had been arrested in absentia in Russia after said remarks about killing Russians.