German official: Russian bikers not members of Night Wolves
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 4 May 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, German official: Russian bikers not members of Night Wolves, 4 May 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5565ba6e2f.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Last updated (GMT/UTC): 04.05.2015 17:42
By RFE/RL
A Russian biker shows a banner depicting Josef Stalin and a World War II slogan "For the Motherland! For Stalin!" in Moscow last month.
A spokesman for Germany's Interior Ministry has said there is no evidence that the Russian bikers who entered Germany on May 3 were part of the nationalist Night Wolves group.
The pro-Kremlin Night Wolves have stated their intention to commemorate the Russian and Allied victory over Nazi Germany 70 years ago in World War II by riding their motorcycles to Berlin.
Some EU officials expressed criticism of their plans and Poland denied them entry, reflecting strains over Russia's role in the Ukraine conflict.
Interior Ministry spokesman Tobias Plate said May 4 that German police checked the IDs of 10 bikers who came in through Austria but found "no concrete evidence of any links to the so-called Night Wolves."
Plate said the bikers appeared to be sympathizers, not members, of the nationalist group.
The German government canceled the visas of a handful of people believed to belong to the group's leadership.
In neighboring Austria on May 2, two group members laid a wreath at a monument to Soviet soldiers in Vienna.
Based on reporting by AP and dpa
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
