A French journalist died this Monday in Ukraine in a “Russian bombardment”, while covering a civilian evacuation operation near Severdonetskannounced the French authorities, who called for a “transparent investigation”.
“A Russian bombardment of a humanitarian operation killed Frederic Leclerc-Imhoffwhile exercising his duty to inform,” the French chancellor tweeted, Catherine Colonnawho visits Kiev this Monday, denouncing “a double crime” once morest a humanitarian convoy and a journalist.
The French President, Emmanuel Macronpaid tribute and expressed his condolences to the family, relatives and colleagues of the 32-year-old reporter, who “was in Ukraine to cover the reality of the war” and was “mortally wounded”.
Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff worked as a cameraman for the chain BFM TV, along with the journalist Maxime Bradstaetter, who was “slightly injured,” private television said. The Ukrainian guide who accompanied them, Oksana Leuta, was unharmed.
The events occurred near Severodonetsk, in the east of Ukrainewhere Russian forces increased their pressure in recent days following launching a military offensive on February 24 in this country.
BFM TV confirmed that his journalist was hit by “shrapnel while he was following a humanitarian operation,” he said.
It was his second mission in Ukraine and worked for six years for this channel.
They demand investigation
The new foreign minister quickly demanded a “transparent investigation as soon as possible to clarify the circumstances of this drama” and expressed her attachment to “freedom of the press” in the world.
For her part, the Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Audrey Azoulay, condemned the death of Frederic Leclerc-Imhoff and called for an investigation so that the perpetrators of this crime can be identified and prosecuted for justice.”
“Journalists who work every day in Ukraine to inform us regarding the reality of the war must be protected from attack,” Azoulay said in a statement.
At least eight journalists have died in Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion, according to a count of Reporters Without Borders (RSF). (AFP)
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