Chilean journalist rearrested in Ukraine over ‘pro-Russian sympathies’

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
6 May 2023 10:46
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Chilean-American writer and filmmaker Gonzalo Lira, who was residing in Ukraine, was arrested by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), once again.

A photo showing the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on Friday arresting Gonzalo Lira (Twitter)

Chilean-American writer and filmmaker Gonzalo Lira, who was residing in Ukraine, was arrested by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) over suspected pro-Russian sympathies.

In a statement, SBU defended Lira's arrest, accusing him of "publicly justifying" Russia's operation in Ukraine, denying alleged Russian "war crimes", in addition to being “engaged in discrediting the top military and political leadership and the Defense Forces of our state.”

The SBU filmed Lira’s arrest by fully armed agents, blurring out the faces of everyone engaged.

#GonzaloLira #GonzaloLiraArrested #UkrainianPolice #UkraineWarNews #UkraineRussiaWar #Ziolensky #RussiaUkraineWar #Ukraina #Ukraine #ukrainewar #Ukrainian #UkraineWar #War #ZionistWars #Zelensky #Censorship

Gonzalo Lira arrested by Ukr. Police

See Reply for statemt of arrest pic.twitter.com/DwSf26jlad
— ExposeThemAll (@ExposeThemAll99) May 5, 2023

He is suspected of “producing and distributing materials justifying the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, committed repeatedly,” as per SBU.

Lira was imprisoned by a court order while the investigation was being conducted.

The journalist's computer and numerous cell phones are said to have been confiscated by the SBU as evidence.

The Chilean-American writer and filmmaker was previously arrested by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on April 15 after losing contact with his family and acquaintances.

Lira's last tweet on March 26 was: "Want to know the truth about the Zelensky regime? Google these names Vlodymyr Struk, Denis Kireev, Mikhail and Aleksander Kononovich, Nestor Shufrych, Yan Taksyur, Dmitri Djangirov, Elena Berezhnaya; if you haven't heard from me in 12 hours, put my name on the list."

At the time, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said she hoped Gonzalo Lira Lopez who disappeared following his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was alive and well.

The journalist provided on-the-ground coverage of the war in Ukraine from Kiev at first and then from Kharkov, Zakharova said, adding that his reporting drew the attention of the Ukrainian security services and the far-right nationalist Azov Battalion.

Soon after he was later released, Lira thanked the people for caring about his absence and advocated concern for others that have disappeared, highlighting that some of them have been killed.

Lira confirmed he was physically okay and stated that he was unable to give any details publicly at the moment.

He explained that the authorities in Kharkov have told him he cannot leave.