Radio liberty arson attack ukraine
Ukraine: Investigative journalists face arson attacks and surveillance

Gavin.Rea

19 August 2020

No Comments

The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) joins the International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ and EFJ), and their Ukrainian affiliate, the National Union of Journalists in Ukraine (NUJU), in urging the authorities to launch a thorough investigation into the intimidation and attacks aimed at muzzling the investigations of a group of journalists in the country. The group of Ukrainian investigative journalists is being subjected to a campaign of harassment and intimidation, including surveillance and arson attacks.

 

The team’s car was set on fire during the night of Monday 17 August. Police found an explosive substance from the wreck of the car, which was completely destroyed.

 

Earlier this month, the project leader of the “Schemes: Corruption in Details” Mykhailo Tkach had reported signs of a break-in and surveillance in his home apartment.

 

“Schemes” is a joint project of Radio Svoboda and the Ukrainian Public Broadcaster, reporting on high-level corruption in Ukraine. The team was recently working on a piece called Kings of the Road revealing how high-level state officials breaks traffic rules with impunity. During the production of the programme, the journalists repeatedly voiced concerns about being under surveillance.

 

On 8 August, Tkach had informed police about finding evidence of surveillance measures in his home. Sources had warned him about instructions to monitor him. When police inspected his apartment, they discovered three holes in the shared attic above the apartment and one hole in the kitchen.

 

However, no surveillance equipment was found. The National Police filed a report for “violation of privacy”. The President of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU), Sergiy Tomilenko, called on the authorities to thoroughly investigate information about the possible wiretapping of the journalists.

 

ECPMF has submitted an alert on the attack on its Mapping Media Freedom platform, while the IFJ and EFJ have submitted an alert condemning the situation to the Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists of the Council of Europe.

 

NUJU president Sergiy Tomilenko said: “Verbal harassment from high-level officials, attempted wiretapping, arson have all been directed against the journalists. Pressure on a group of journalists who reveal corruption at senior levels is a media freedom emergency. This sets alarm bells ringing for every investigative journalist in the capital and all over Ukraine. We demand that law enforcement agencies involve the best experts from the security services to investigate these cases.”

 

ECPMF’s Managing Director Lutz Kinkel said: “Investigative journalism is indispensable when it comes to holding the elite to account and to informing the public about societal issues. The murders of Ján Kuciak in Slovakia and Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta show that this journalism can be life endangering, if the respective state does not protect its journalists. We call on Ukrainian authorities to protect national journalists and thoroughly investigate the threats to the ‘Schemes’ team.”

Read news by categories:

Related news

Statement

Law enforcement must protect journalists amidst escalating tensions in northern Kosovo

At ECPMF, we are highly concerned about the recent wave of violent attacks on journalists in Kosovo, which has been the most intense in the country’s recent history.

READ MORE
Statement

MFRR and SJN express deep concern over attacks on media workers in Kosovo

The current political developments in Kosovo have once again stirred up an atmosphere that hinders the ability of journalists to carry out their responsibilities with credibility and without obstacles.

READ MORE
Statement

Solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners

Today, marking the Day of the Political Prisoner in Belarus, the undersigned organisations reiterate our condemnation of the Lukashenko regime’s ruthless crackdown on civil society and independent media.

READ MORE
Statement

Profound disappointment as suspected mastermind in Ján Kuciak murder acquitted once again

Following the acquittal of the suspected mastermind in the killing of Ján Kuciak, we express our profound disappointment, renew our calls for justice and convey our steadfast solidarity with the families of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová.

READ MORE
General

ECPMF deeply concerned by allocation of court costs to journalist Carole Cadwalladr

We are deeply concerned to hear that the UK Court of Appeal has ordered investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr to pay 60% of businessman Arron Banks’ High Court costs.

READ MORE
Support

ECPMF and Amal, Berlin! Launch Workshops for Journalists in Exile in Germany

Within the framework of our ongoing “Opportunities in Exile” programme, ECPMF has coordinated a series of German language workshops for journalists and media workers in exile in Germany, together with Amal, Berlin!.

READ MORE