In Germany he campaigns against pro-Russian demonstrations in local politics: Now a Frankfurt FDP politician has found himself in the sights of the Russian Interior Ministry.
Through statements and activities critical of the Kremlin, the Frankfurt FDP local politician Michael Rubin has apparently come into the sights of Russian President Vladimir Putin and ended up on the Russian Interior Ministry’s wanted list that was announced at the beginning of the week. “It wasn’t a big shock for me. Actually, I could already suspect it, since my activities are directed against those in power in Russia and Belarus,” Rubin told the AFP news agency on Thursday.
A colleague of his came across the reporting about the wanted list from Moscow and brought it to his attention, Rubin said. “After that, I did my own research on the Russian Interior Ministry website and saw my name and photo on the list.” He said he still feels safe in Germany and is in contact with the security authorities. “But I will be much more careful when traveling in the future.”
“Usual intimidation tactic”
In addition to Rubin, the list includes Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Lithuanian Culture Minister Simonas Kairys and Estonian State Secretary Taimar Peterkop. “The Russian Federation’s actions are not surprising as this is their usual intimidation tactic,” Kallas said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained that these were “people who carry out hostile actions against historical memory and against our country.”
Rubin attributes the call for a manhunt against him to his political involvement in Germany. “I have been on the Belarusian Coordination Council for a year, which Minsk has classified as extremist. I also co-founded the Embassy of the People of Belarus to strengthen democratic forces in Belarus. This organization has also been classified as extremist.” Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, he has been fighting in Germany “against Putin propaganda and pro-Russian demonstrations and motorcades.”
Lindner: Deployment “shows effect”
He sees the fact that he has now landed on the list “more as recognition” for his activities. It is a sign that “we are not being overlooked and that I will be heard as a local politician in Minsk and Moscow,” said Rubin. “Our efforts are not in vain.” Rubin has Belarusian and Ukrainian roots, but has lived in Germany for around 30 years. For five years he was on the local advisory board of the FDP in Frankfurt am Main.
The FDP party leader Christian Lindner wrote about the searches on He spoke of “attempts at intimidation” and also linked to a corresponding article in the “Bild” newspaper. Rubin himself shared Lindner’s post on his page.
