(TJV) Chilean-American journalist Gonzalo Lira has tragically passed away in a Ukrainian prison, reportedly after enduring torture and being denied medical treatment.
Lira gained recognition for his outspoken criticism of Ukraine and the administration of President Joe Biden, particularly his dissenting opinions on the conflict in Ukraine, where he voiced critical views of President Volodymyr Zelensky. This led to his initial arrest in 2022 and a subsequent rearrest in May 2023.
One of US Citizen Journalist Gonzalo Lira’s last videos before being jailed and tortured to death in Ukraine.
Despite efforts from Tucker Carlson, and Elon Musk raising concerns to Zelensky, Gonzalo’s father announced today that his son has died in a Ukrainian prison.
He was… pic.twitter.com/Q4NC5sS9K9
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) January 12, 2024
The US State Department confirmed the death of Lira, a US citizen, expressing condolences to his family through a representative who spoke to the Russian TASS news agency. The State Department refrained from providing additional comments, citing respect for the family during this challenging time.
Gonzalo Lira’s arrest by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) was reportedly linked to his pro-Russia stance. Journalist Tucker Carlson asserted that Lira was tortured and killed while awaiting trial, initially scheduled for December 21, 2023. However, the trial was allegedly rescheduled due to Lira’s battle with a lung infection.
Some claim Carlson’s reporting is incorrect and Lira died due to his poor health while in prison awating trial. Other reports claim Lira was not just sympathetic to Russia but allegedly a “Russian agent”
In a letter sent from prison to his sister, Lira detailed his deteriorating health, disclosing a severe case of pneumonia, pneumothorax, and extensive edema. He claimed to have fallen ill in mid-October, asserting that his medical condition was ignored by the prison authorities.
Lira mentioned that Ukrainian officials only acknowledged his pneumonia during a December hearing. The journalist expressed his anticipation of a surgical procedure to alleviate the pressure on his lungs, which had led to extreme shortness of breath, even causing him to faint after minimal activity or a brief conversation.
Gonzalo Lira Sr., the journalist’s father, vehemently criticized both the Ukrainian and American governments for his son’s tragic demise. He accused Ukrainian President Zelensky of being a dictator, implicating him in the responsibility for the alleged torture and murder, and also blamed President Joe Biden for his inaction.
The family’s grief was compounded by the perceived lack of assistance from the US Embassy, as Gonzalo Lira Sr. asserted that his son had been incommunicado for 8 months and 11 days without any intervention. Notably, prominent American figures such as Elon Musk and Tucker Carlson had recently advocated for Lira’s release in the days leading up to the announcement of his death.
The circumstances surrounding Gonzalo Lira’s demise raise questions about the treatment of individuals with dissenting views and the responsibility of governments in ensuring the well-being of prisoners, adding a layer of complexity to the ongoing geopolitical dynamics involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States.