RTL Today - Ukraine requests ban of "Z" symbol: Sam Tanson: Luxembourg has no legal basis for the banning of symbols

The Ukrainian minister of foreign affairs has asked other countries to ban the "Z" used by Russia to show support for the war.

Other European countries have already reacted to the request. The Czech Republic has equated the "Z" with the swastika, Latvia has banned it and in Germany, showing the "Z" is a criminal offence.

On its own, a symbol cannot be banned in Luxembourg, said Minister for Justice Sam Tanson, explaining that it is considered in context. The same principle applies to words and actions, she added. Luxembourg does not so far have forbidden symbols.

But this does not mean that they can be used as desired. Inciting hate is a criminal offence, and this can apply to the use of symbols, too. A court would decide whether this applies in a specific case.

Similarly, trivialising war or war crimes, once they have been clearly proven in a court, is also a crime. Once the International Criminal Court has concluded that war crimes were committed in Ukraine, denying these crimes is also punishable.

But this is an ongoing procedure at this point and not likely to be concluded so soon.