The French anti-terrorism prosecutor (PNAT) launched a war crimes investigation into the death of French journalist Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff, 32, working in Ukraine on Monday (30) Monday.
BFM TV channel reporter lost his life as a result of Russian bombardment hitting the vehicle he used to evacuate civilians in the city of Severodonetsk.
“Today, our armored evacuation vehicle was going to pick up 10 people from the area and came under enemy fire. Shrapnel from grenades pierced the armor of the car, a fatal neck wound was received by an accredited French journalist reporting on the incident. Lugansk regional governor Serhiy Gaidai, as reported by “The Guardian” newspaper. “According to the evacuation, a police officer on patrol was saved by a helmet,” he said.
Efforts to evacuate civilians were suspended following the attack, according to the governor.
According to a post by Ukrainska Pravda on Twitter, the photo of the press accreditation by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine was published by several social network users.
France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office announced that the investigation entrusted to the Central Office for Combating Humanity, Genocide and War Crimes (Oclch) also concerns “the injuries sustained by his colleague Maxime Brandstaetter” who accompanied him.
Since the start of the war on February 24, at least five more investigations have been opened by the PNAT into actions against French citizens in Ukraine.
In a statement, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna demanded an investigation into the incident. “France demands an investigation into the circumstances of this drama as soon as possible and with transparency,” he said.
source: Noticias