IPI demands international probe into Russian journalist's killing in Ukraine

VIENNA - May 30, 2018 - PRLog -- The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, journalists and media executives for media freedom, today demanded that the United Nations and the European Union jointly set up an independent body to investigate the killing of Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko, who was shot dead on May 29, 2018 in Kiev, Ukraine.

Babchenko, a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was shot by unidentified gunmen outside his house in Kiev, where he was living in exile and working for a local television station. He died on the way to hospital.

A former Russian soldier, Babchenko had published several articles critical of the Russian administration and had fled the country in 2017 fearing for his life.

The killing has sparked claims and counter claims by Ukraine and Russia, with each country accusing the other of being behind the murder.

"Mr. Babchenko's killing deserves an impartial probe and should be conducted by an independent body", IPI Executive Director Barbara Trionfi said. "Over the years many Russian journalists in Russia as well as critics of the government living abroad have died in mysterious circumstances, incidents that have been followed by largely inconclusive or inadequate investigations. In this case, it appears likely that Mr. Babchenko was targeted for his critical journalism. The killer should be brought to justice along with those who ordered the murder."

Trionfi said that an investigation by an independent group comprising international experts set up by the U.N. and the EU would ensure an impartial probe and make it more difficult for the parties involved to question the findings.

According to the data collected by IPI as part of its Death Watch programme, as many as 41 journalists have died so far in 2018 in relation to their work, with a large number specifically targeted for their reporting.

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