The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has reacted to the shocking investigation into the case of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna, who was tortured by Russians.
The statement by Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgy Tykhy is quoted by the ministry.
"We are grateful to the Forbidden Stories consortium and 45 journalists from 13 Ukrainian and foreign media outlets for their outstanding and shocking investigation. Viktoriya Roshchina's bravery, her dedication, and her sincere concern for human lives were extraordinary. This collaborative journalistic work highlights her heroism and the barbarity of her murder by the Russians, and expands her efforts to expose the horrific fate of thousands of civilian hostages held by Russia," said Tykhy.
At the same time, he called on the international community to respond to the findings of this investigation, which reveal systemic war crimes, human rights violations, kidnappings, torture, and murders in the Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by Russia.
"We appeal to the UN Human Rights Council, the UN Human Rights Council Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, UNESCO, the OSCE and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, the Council of Europe, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and the Directorate General for Human Rights and the Rule of Law of the Council of Europe, as well as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders. The problem of civilian hostages abducted and held by Russia requires increased international attention and an immediate and decisive response. Because what we are witnessing now is most likely the largest state-sponsored abduction of civilians in recent memory," the spokesman stressed.
Tykhyi added: this must be condemned and held accountable.
"The Russian criminals responsible for these horrific atrocities must be held accountable," the ministry spokesman concluded.
Recall that the body of journalist Viktoria Roshchina was handed over by the Russians to the Ukrainian side with body parts removed , including parts of the brain, larynx, and eyeballs, which is consistent with a possible attempt to conceal the cause of death.