Sen. Eric Brakey (R-Androscoggin) proposed a resolution on Monday condemning Ukraine for the death of New York journalist Gonzalo Lira, who was imprisoned, and allegedly tortured, for his reporting.
[RELATED: Ukraine Official Says Navalny “Unfortunately” Died of Natural Causes…]
“In recognition of the death of U.S. citizen and journalist Gonzalo Lira in a Ukrainian prison, I have recently submitted this resolution to the Maine Legislature for consideration. Last year, we passed a resolution demanding the release of a U.S. citizen and journalist imprisoned illegally in Russia. I hope we will hold the Ukrainian government to the same standards,” said Sen. Brakey on X.
Brakey’s resolution seeks to hold Ukraine to the same standard that the State of Maine holds Russia to for the imprisonment of Wall Street Journal reporter and Bowdoin College graduate Evan Gershkovich.
Lira travelled to Ukraine around February 24, 2022 when Russia first invaded and began covering the war.
Posting vlogs out of Kharkiv, he was accused by pro-Ukrainian critics of posting pro-Russian propaganda.
In May, the Ukrainian security service imprisoned Lira after he shared opinions that contradicted the Ukrainian government’s narrative.
Lira was released on bail and placed under house arrest, where he claimed on social media that he was tortured by Ukrainian officials while in prison.
He then attempted to flee over the Hungarian border and claim political asylum, but was re-captured by Ukraine, and imprisoned again for violating bail.
On January 12, 2024, Lira’s father announced that he had died in prison; the U.S. State Department confirmed the death and determined that the cause was pneumonia.
Brakey’s resolution would condemn Ukraine for imprisoning Lira for exercising free speech, demand that Ukraine respect the free-speech rights of journalists, express sympathy for Lira’s family, and asks the U.S. State Department to conduct an investigation into Lira’s death.
He insulted Kamala Harris says she was an idiot and one of the stupidest people in the world. Also said Zelenski was corrupt. That’s why they held him until he died. They didn’t like someone speaking the truth.
I doubt there is a school aged student in Maine who has heard the name Gonzalo Lira in her/his classroom
The zenophobe Navalny will be lionized, however, and the cokehead actor Zelensky has the full support of Maine’s congressional delegation, while their DoD driven stock portfolios burgeon as Ukraine loses a whole generation
Wow, what a fine example of grand-standing! Too bad he wasn’t complaining about Lira’s situation while Lira was still alive, & the U.S. might have saved him.
GL was a little known misogynistic dating-coach turned blogger who pivoted to blogging about the Russian-Ukraine war and was arrested for distributing Kremlin propaganda (e.g., aiding the enemy during war time). He had been released on house arrest and was re-arrested and jailed for violating his bail (attempting to flee). He (falsely) claimed to have foreign policy experience. Calling him a journalist is a bit of a stretch. I would be more supportive of EB’s attempt to support GL if he had shown similar interest in criticizing, for example, Russia’s foced relaction of children (a war crime) about which I believe EB has been silent.
GL was writing about the Ukrainian’s Azov Division, modelled after the German SS, who were in the provinces that border Russia, waging a campaign of genocide against these Russian speaking citizens. Zelensky is corrupt. GL blood is on his hands. Biden got the tall lesbian beating basketball player out of a Russian gulag, but didn’t even try to help GL because of what he said concerning Zelensky, Kamala, and dementia Joe.
Don’t these people have more important things to do in Augusta?