We are relieved that Arkady Babchenko is alive

“We learned with great relief that Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko, who was presumed assassinated in Kiev yesterday, is alive. This is the best news we have heard today. We will continue to follow the explanations from the Ukrainian authorities on the reasons why it was necessary to stage the murder of a famous critic of Putin’s regime. But one thing is clear, the EPP Group supports journalists and we will do our utmost to protect them should they be harassed or prosecuted for reasons related to their work,” says Jaromír Štětina, a Czech MEP who is a former journalist and former war correspondent.

Arkady Babchenko was facing severe threats to his life; he left Russia and established himself in Prague. Given that the Czech authorities recently refused permanent residency permits for critics of Russian President Putin, he moved to Kiev after only a few months in Prague.

“Despite this case that had a happy ending, we need to draw attention to other cases where journalists are harassed and prosecuted in Russia. More than 100 journalists have been murdered since 2000. EU Member States must help and actively provide support to prosecuted opposition journalists who seek refuge because they face threats to their lives in Russia,” concluded Štětina.