Disinfo: The situation with COVID-19 in Germany is worsening because of migrants

Summary

The COVID-19 situation in Germany is worsening. The reason is the Kreuzberg district of Berlin, where inhabitants originating from Turkey, Albania and Arabic countries do not accept any restrictions.

Disproof

This statement consists of two popular pro-Kremlin narratives. The first one is about the West not being able to cope with the pandemic and the second one is about migrants.

According to a poll carried out by public broadcaster ZDF, an overwhelming majority of people in Germany support current regulations aimed at reducing the spread of coronavirus, or favour even stricter rules. A mere 10% considered the current regulations to be over-the-top.

Moreover, the Berlin district Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, mentioned in the claim, is not evaluated as the one with the highest COVID-19 case numbers. There is no evidence to prove that the increase in COVID-19 cases is caused by migrants breaking the restrictions. Kreuzberg has a low infection rate compared to other districts, such as the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district, which has a low migration population but the highest rate of covid infections.

The German disease control centre says there are signs that the spread of COVID-19 is slowing. However, the head of the Robert Koch Institute has urged Germans to stick to social distancing and mask-wearing rules.

See the similar case: "Refugees from Greek camps willjeopardise Germany's health and safety".

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radiovesti.ru (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 224
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 01/12/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Germany
  • Keywords: coronavirus, migration
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Disinfo: A civil war began in Ukraine after the clique seized power in the country

The Maidan turned in to a civil war. The clique seized power in the capital and immediately began suppressing the citizens who opposed the overthrow of the legitimate government. The junta began to suppress the peaceful resistance of the Southern and Eastern oblasts of Ukraine. That eventually led to a civil war in Ukraine. On the one hand, there was a fascist clique with its own Bandera ideals, on the other, those who did not recognise the coup that had taken place in the country.

Nov 30, 2020
Disproof

This is an example of recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the 2013-2014 Maidan protests and the war in Ukraine.

The war in eastern Ukraine was not caused by the Euromaidan. Protests in favour of EU association and reforms were held in all major cities of Donbas. The war is not a civil conflict but a well-documented act of aggression by Russian armed forces.

Disinfo: Germany violated the Chemical Weapons Convention

Germany violated the Chemical Weapons Convention by refusing to collaborate with Russia in the situation over the Alexei Navalny poisoning.

Nov 30, 2020
Disproof

Pro-Kremlin disinformation claiming that Germany did not collaborate with Russia in the investigation into the poisoning of Alexei Navalny and that Germany violated the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Regarding the collaboration between Germany and Russia during the investigation, Berlin provided data on Navalny to the Hague-based Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, of which Russia is a member. Berlin’s Justice Ministry also approved a request from Moscow for legal assistance in the investigation of the poisoning, and tasked state prosecutors with working with the Russian authorities.

Disinfo: By supporting protesting Belarusians Lithuania hopes to get more money from Brussels

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania presented an initiative to provide cost-free visas for Belarusians persecuted by the political regime in the home country. Lithuania is trying to show that many Belarusians do not support Alyaksandr Lukashenka as president and hope to get more money from Brussels. This initiative is bait for people who do not think about the consequences of their activities. The Lithuanian government aspires to create anti-Lukashenka and anti-Belarusian sentiment in society. The real interest of Vilnius is financial. Lithuania, as the main manipulator in the Belarusian events, seeks to get support from Brussels.

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Lithuania actively intervening into events in Belarus since the beginning of protests against Alyaksandr Lukashenka. Vilnius supports the Belarusian opposition and urges to hold new elections in the neighbour country. Belarusian authorities say that Vilnius, Warsaw and other countries are interfering in the internal affairs of Belarus and are trying to control the opposition.

Nov 30, 2020
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Western attempts to organise a colour revolution in Belarus.

The claim that Lithuania is "intervening into events in Belarus” and seeking financial interests is unfounded. Lithuania is a neighbour of Belarus and it continues to support the Belarusian people. In the context of brutal persecution of protesters in Belarus, Lithuania made some steps to support civil society in the neighbour country. Earlier Lithuania opened the special “humanitarian corridor” for Belarusians and allow them to arrive under the so-called humanitarian exception. Vilnius University offered free studies and scholarship to Belarusian students. The proposal of issuing free national visas to Belarusians who are persecuted by the regime is only one more step to support people in needs.