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Germany’s MEP insists on independent probe into US journalist’s death in Ukrainian jail

"To this end, we demand an independent investigation into the incident under the auspices of the OSCE and an immediate end to any support for this corrupt state," Bernhard Zimniok stressed

PARIS, January 16./TASS/. European Parliament member Bernhard Zimniok believes it is necessary to carry out an independent investigation into the death in a Ukrainian prison of video blogger, journalist, filmmaker, and dual US and Chilean citizen Gonzalo Lira, as well as denounce the current authorities in Ukraine.

Zimniok reiterated that "due to his critical coverage of the Ukrainian leadership’s activity," Lira was repeatedly detained, "tortured" and eventually died, with "necessary medical care being denied."

"To this end, we demand an independent investigation into the incident under the auspices of the OSCE and an immediate end to any support for this corrupt state," the MEP said. In his opinion, the situation around Lira "vividly" shows that Ukraine is completely out of line with European values.

The MEP said that further military support for Ukraine is unacceptable for a number of reasons. "First, anyone who knows anything can see that Ukraine doesn't have the slightest chance of winning. In light of this, it would be quite brazen to further overburden our taxpayers," he noted.

Earlier, the US Department of State confirmed reports about the death of American and Chilean citizen, journalist and blogger Gonzalo Lira, who was imprisoned in Ukraine.

While in prison, Lira came down with bilateral pneumonia in October 2023, said a handwritten note the journalist’s father, Gonzalo Lira Sr., showed to the US portal The Grayzone. The latter published a photo of the note. According to Lira Sr.'s testimony, the prison authorities ignored and tried to conceal his son’s illness from the journalist's family and lawyers. Lira Sr. demanded that the US embassy in Kiev intervene in the situation, to no avail.

Last spring, Russia urged the global journalistic community to stand up and defend Lira following his abduction by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and demanded his immediate release. The SBU detained the blogger in Kharkov in May 2023 for supporting the Russian special operation in Ukraine.

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