Commemoration of Journalist Georgiy Gongadze in Kyiv
Today in Kyiv, at Contract Square, a memorial event took place for journalist Georgiy Gongadze. His wife Myroslava, along with friends and colleagues, participated in the event, as reported by hromadske and Detector Media.
"The event 'Find Journalist Gongadze' sparked massive protests that led to significant changes in Ukraine. Today, 25 years after his murder, I am inspired by the determination of Ukrainians in their fight for truth," she stated.
Myroslava also noted that the last court session regarding Gongadze's murder occurred in July 2021, when the Supreme Court upheld the life sentence for former police general Oleksiy Pukach, convicted of the murder. However, the masterminds behind the crime remain unpunished.
She believes there is a lack of "political will" to bring this case to a close.
Journalist Ivan Lyubish-Kirdey, who was severely injured in Kramatorsk, expressed that he draws inspiration from Gongadze's values and strives to honor his legacy.
"Being a journalist today is very dangerous, especially with a neighbor like Russia. I thank all journalists for what they do. You are fighting for Ukraine, and I am more than convinced that victory is ours," he said.
The editor-in-chief of Ukrainian Truth, Sevgi Musaieva, urged to appreciate professional and passionate Ukrainians in their lifetime, rather than only reviewing their legacy after they are gone.
"I think Giya felt lonely at times. Many people who accepted the system's terms could realize themselves and work in television. But he couldn't. That’s why he had to create this publication," Musaieva added.
Recall that Georgiy Gongadze disappeared on September 16, 2000, and later his decapitated body was found in a forest near Kyiv. On January 29, 2013, the Pechersk District Court of Kyiv sentenced Oleksiy Pukach to life imprisonment for the murder of Gongadze. On July 2, 2021, the Supreme Court upheld Pukach's life sentence. However, the mastermind behind Gongadze's murder has not been officially named. Gongadze was buried on March 22, 2016, in Kyiv's Podil district, with his grave located on the premises of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Church. For 16 years, his body was stored in Kyiv's central morgue.
