In a tit-for-tat move, Russia on Monday expelled two German diplomats after Berlin ordered two Russian diplomats to leave the country over the German court verdict last week which said Russian authorities were involved in the assassination of an ex-Chechen commander in a Berlin park two years ago.

A German court had sentenced a Russian operative&nbsp;Vadim Krasikov for murdering an ex-Chechen commander Tornike Khangoshvili in Berlin. German authorities had summoned the Russian ambassador after the court verdict and announced two of its diplomatic staff employees would be expelled.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-expels-russian-diplomats-after-court-accuses-russia-of-state-terrorism-in-berlin-park-murder-case-437205">Also Read:&nbsp;Germany expels Russian diplomats after court accuses Russia of 'state terrorism'</a>

The German court said it was an act of "state terrorism" by Russia since Khangoshvili had given up his fight against Russia several years ago.

Russia had called the verdict "not objective and politically motivated". Russian President Putin had reportedly called Khangashvili a "bloody terrorist".

Watch:&nbsp;Germany expels two Russian diplomats over killing of former Chechen militant

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Russia however maintained the German court's view was "completely divorced from reality" even as German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said the murder of the Georgian national was carried out on "state orders" asserting that it was a violation of German law.

Khangoshvili was reportedly killed in broad daylight as the judge after examining the evidence declared that Russia had decided to "liquidate Khangoshvili in Berlin".&nbsp;

"Four children lost their father, two siblings their brother," the judge said.

The German court spokesperson later said that Russia's actions were "illegal" while adding that "another state can't just send a contract killer to eliminate regime critics on German soil."

The spokesperson added that the assassin had entered Germany disguised as a tourist and carried out the murder with aides stationed in Berlin.

"Russian government offices were responsible for the contract killing," Berlin court spokesperson Lisa Jani had said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

In a tit-for-tat move, Russia on Monday expelled two German diplomats after Berlin ordered two Russian diplomats to leave the country over the German court verdict last week which said Russian authorities were involved in the assassination of an ex-Chechen commander in a Berlin park two years ago.

In a tit-for-tat move, Russia on Monday expelled two German diplomats after Berlin ordered two Russian diplomats to leave the country over the German court verdict last week which said Russian authorities were involved in the assassination of an ex-Chechen commander in a Berlin park two years ago. A German court had sentenced a Russian operative Vadim Krasikov for murdering an ex-Chechen commander Tornike Khangoshvili in Berlin. German authorities had summoned the Russian ambassador after the court verdict and announced two of its diplomatic staff employees would be expelled. Also Read: Germany expels Russian diplomats after court accuses Russia of 'state terrorism' The German court said it was an act of "state terrorism" by Russia since Khangoshvili had given up his fight against Russia several years ago. Russia had called the verdict "not objective and politically motivated". Russian President Putin had reportedly called Khangashvili a "bloody terrorist". Watch: Germany expels two Russian diplomats over killing of former Chechen militant Russia however maintained the German court's view was "completely divorced from reality" even as German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said the murder of the Georgian national was carried out on "state orders" asserting that it was a violation of German law. Khangoshvili was reportedly killed in broad daylight as the judge after examining the evidence declared that Russia had decided to "liquidate Khangoshvili in Berlin". "Four children lost their father, two siblings their brother," the judge said. The German court spokesperson later said that Russia's actions were "illegal" while adding that "another state can't just send a contract killer to eliminate regime critics on German soil." The spokesperson added that the assassin had entered Germany disguised as a tourist and carried out the murder with aides stationed in Berlin. "Russian government offices were responsible for the contract killing," Berlin court spokesperson Lisa Jani had said. (With inputs from Agencies)

Berlin park murder: Now, Russia expels German diplomats

A German court said today that the assassination of an ex-Chechen commander in Berlin was ordered by Russia.

Russian suspect&nbsp;Vadim Krasikov was sentenced to life in prison after he was allegedly found guilty of killing Georgian national Tornike Kavtarashvili, 40, in a Berlin park in 2019.

Judge Olaf Arnoldi said the "Russian state authorities" had ordered the assassin to "liquidate the victim". "Four children lost their father, two siblings their brother," the judge said.&nbsp;

Germany expelled two Russian diplomats after the verdict. Foreign minister&nbsp;Annalena Baerbock called it a "serious violation of German law and of Germany's sovereignty".&nbsp;

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The judge said the victim was a Kremlin opponent even as Moscow hit out against the ruling. According to the court, Russian security services allegedly provided Krasikov with a false identity to carry out the assassination including a fake passport.

The assassination had led to a diplomatic row between Russia and Germany earlier. The German government had expelled two Russian diplomats after the reported assassination as Russia in a tit-for-tat move had ordered two German diplomats to leave the country.

Kavtarashvili had reportedly fought in the second Chechen war against Russia was allegedly designated as terrorist by Putin's regime.

Krasikov lawyers had reportedly pleaded for acquittal claiming it was a case of mistaken identity. President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the allegation of Russian involvement was "absolutely groundless".

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Krasikov was reportedly arrested by police just after he carried out the assassination as witnesses raised an alarm.

Russia's ambassador to Germany, Sergei Nechayev dismissed the verdict saying it was "biased, politically-motivated decision that seriously aggravates already difficult Russian-German relations".&nbsp;

Kavtarashvili had taken refuge in Germany after he had reportedly survived assassination attempts in Georgia.&nbsp;

Berlin court spokesperson Lisa Jani said: "The defendant is said to have been a part of the state's security apparatus and he is said to have come to Germany disguised as a tourist to carry out this murder in a most professional manner with the support of aides stationed in Berlin."&nbsp;

"The court views this matter as state terrorism because&nbsp;Russian government offices, according to the judges, were responsible for this contract killing," Jani added.

(With inputs from Agencies)

A German court said today that the assassination of an ex-Chechen commander in Berlin was ordered by Russia. Russian suspect Vadim Krasikov was sentenced to life in prison after he was allegedly found guilty of killing Georgian national Tornike Kavtarashvili, 40, in a Berlin park in 2019.

A German court said today that the assassination of an ex-Chechen commander in Berlin was ordered by Russia. Russian suspect Vadim Krasikov was sentenced to life in prison after he was allegedly found guilty of killing Georgian national Tornike Kavtarashvili, 40, in a Berlin park in 2019. Judge Olaf Arnoldi said the "Russian state authorities" had ordered the assassin to "liquidate the victim". "Four children lost their father, two siblings their brother," the judge said. Germany expelled two Russian diplomats after the verdict. Foreign minister Annalena Baerbock called it a "serious violation of German law and of Germany's sovereignty". Also Read: Russian analyst who compiled dossier linking Trump’s election to Russia arrested The judge said the victim was a Kremlin opponent even as Moscow hit out against the ruling. According to the court, Russian security services allegedly provided Krasikov with a false identity to carry out the assassination including a fake passport. The assassination had led to a diplomatic row between Russia and Germany earlier. The German government had expelled two Russian diplomats after the reported assassination as Russia in a tit-for-tat move had ordered two German diplomats to leave the country. Kavtarashvili had reportedly fought in the second Chechen war against Russia was allegedly designated as terrorist by Putin's regime. Krasikov lawyers had reportedly pleaded for acquittal claiming it was a case of mistaken identity. President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the allegation of Russian involvement was "absolutely groundless". Also Read: German man charged for spying at parliament for Russian intelligence Krasikov was reportedly arrested by police just after he carried out the assassination as witnesses raised an alarm. Russia's ambassador to Germany, Sergei Nechayev dismissed the verdict saying it was "biased, politically-motivated decision that seriously aggravates already difficult Russian-German relations". Kavtarashvili had taken refuge in Germany after he had reportedly survived assassination attempts in Georgia. Berlin court spokesperson Lisa Jani said: "The defendant is said to have been a part of the state's security apparatus and he is said to have come to Germany disguised as a tourist to carry out this murder in a most professional manner with the support of aides stationed in Berlin." "The court views this matter as state terrorism because Russian government offices, according to the judges, were responsible for this contract killing," Jani added. (With inputs from Agencies)

Germany expels Russian diplomats after court accuses Russia of 'state terrorism' in Berlin park murder case

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Berlin park murder: Now, Russia expels German diplomats

Germany expels Russian diplomats after court accuses Russia of 'state terrorism' in Berlin park murder case