Washington, D.C. – January 13
In a somber announcement, the US Department of State has officially acknowledged the passing of reporter Gonzalo Lira, a dual citizen of Chile and the United States, while in prison in Ukraine. Offering their deepest condolences to the grieving family, the Department of State verified the accuracy of the information surrounding Lira’s demise.
“We can confirm the death of a U.S. citizen in Ukraine. We offer our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss,” stated a representative of the Department of State in response to queries from a TASS correspondent regarding Lira’s reported death in jail. The official expressed the readiness to provide consular assistance and, out of respect for the family during this challenging period, refrained from making further comments.
The confirmation follows earlier assertions by US journalist Tucker Carlson, who, citing Lira’s father, claimed that the reporter, detained by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), had died in prison. Carlson, utilizing the platform X (formerly Twitter), alleged that despite Lira’s American citizenship, the US administration had unequivocally supported his imprisonment and mistreatment.
Entrepreneur Elon Musk also entered the fray, directing a request to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky seeking an explanation for Lira’s arrest and detention. Musk’s involvement was triggered by a social media post on X by Tucker Carlson, who contended that Lira had been “tortured in a Ukrainian prison since July, for the crime criticizing Zelensky.”
The situation had garnered international attention earlier in the spring when Russia implored the global journalist community to advocate for Lira’s defense and immediate release. The SBU’s actions in abducting Lira in Kharkiv in May, accusing him of supporting Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, had raised concerns.
The SBU, in response to mounting inquiries, maintains that Lira was arrested, and granted bail, but subsequently violated the law. Allegedly attempting to flee the country on his motorcycle through a checkpoint on the border with Hungary after paying bail, Lira now finds himself in a pre-trial detention facility in Kharkiv awaiting trial, according to the latest information available.
