EU demands thorough and independent investigation of Victoria Roshchyna’s death in Russian captivity

The European Union is appalled by the reports about the death of Ukrainian freelance journalist Victoria Roshchyna while in illegal arbitrary Russian detention, EU High Representative Josep Borrell said in a statement published on 11 October.

Viktoria Roshchyna was a renowned Ukrainian journalist, covering Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. She is the thirteenth journalist to be killed since the start of the full-scale war. According to the available information, she died while being transferred to Moscow from a prison in Taganrog. 

“Our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues,” said Borrell. “Her fate is a tragic reminder of the many thousands of persons detained in occupied Ukrainian territories and Russia, as well as the repression imposed by Russian authorities, also in Russia.”

Borrell, on behalf of the EU, demanded “a thorough and independent investigation” that clarifies all the circumstances of Victoria Roshchyna’s death “as soon as possible”. He also said that by arbitrarily detaining Roshchyna in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories in August 2023, the Russian authorities assumed full responsibility for her safety, health and physical integrity. 

“The EU remains deeply concerned about Russia’s ongoing harassment, intimidation and violence against journalists and media workers covering war zones and frontlines. For them, safety and protection must be ensured at all times,” Borrell said.

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