Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, five journalists have died, including two foreigners.
France has opened an investigation into a possible war crime following the death of French-Irish journalist Pierre Zakszewski in Ukraine on Monday, the anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office (APAT), which is competent in crimes against humanity, said on Wednesday. at the request of AFP.
Pnat indicated that the investigation, made possible by the journalist’s French citizenship, is open to “an intentional attack on the life of a person protected by international law” and “an intentional attack on a civilian who does not take a direct part in hostilities.”
The investigation was entrusted to the OZKB
Pierre Zakshevsky, a French-Irish cameraman for Fox News, and Oleksandra Kuvshinova, a Ukrainian woman who accompanied him, were killed on Monday in Gorenka, northwest of the capital, “when their car became the target of a fire,” Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott said. . the statement said, adding that they were with reporter Benjamin Hall, who was injured.
The investigation was entrusted to the gendarmes of the Central Directorate for Combating Crimes against Humanity, Genocides and War Crimes (CCHR).
While German and Spanish courts have already launched “war crimes” investigations with broader universal jurisdiction, Pnat told AFP it could only open an investigation if the victim was French. or if the person who committed the offense has his or her habitual residence in French territory.
Jean-Yves Le Drian, head of French diplomacy, recalled on Wednesday the “duty” of warring parties in Ukraine to guarantee the protection of journalists covering the conflict.
Reporters Without Borders announced on Twitter on Wednesday that it wanted to file a complaint because “a criminal investigation is needed to identify those responsible for the shooting that killed journalists and to determine the extent to which the journalists were deliberately targeted.”
Since the beginning of the conflict, three more journalists, two Ukrainians and an American, have died.