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On July 20, 2016, journalist Pavel Sheremet was killed in a car bomb explosion in Kyiv while driving a vehicle belonging to his partner, Olena Prytula. Days earlier, Sheremet and Prytula had reported being under surveillance. Ukrainian officials suggested possible Russian involvement, but an independent OCCRP investigation later pointed to flaws in the official inquiry and potential ties to Ukraine’s Security Service. Sheremet was buried in Minsk on July 23, following a Kyiv procession attended by colleagues, lawmakers, and President Poroshenko.
Pavel’s Last words/work: “Ukraine has changed and will continue to change.”
Journalist Information:
Name: Pavel Sheremet
Age: 44
Gender: Male
DOB: 28/11/1971
Nationality: Belarusian
Last company worked for: Ukrayinska Pravda
Family: After his death, Sheremet left behind his two children.
Incident Information:
Date of incident – 20 July 2016
Location of incident – Kyiv, Ukraine
Offense victim of: Assassination
Weapons included – Bomb
Suspect(s) Information:
Perpetrator Identified: No
Proof of Targeting the Journalist: Several dozen prominent Ukrainian human rights defenders and journalists, along with international groups, published a joint open letter to the country’s leadership demanding an effective investigation into Sheremet’s death, calling for true transparency about its progress. Ukrainian authorities cannot afford to ignore these calls to justice.
Reason for Killing: Investigators believe that the motive for his killing was most likely revenge for his work as a reporter, TV anchor, political commentator, and author, much of which was critical of authorities in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine.
Progress of the Case: A year after prominent journalist Pavel Sheremet was killed by a car bomb in Kyiv, no one has been arrested or prosecuted, even though Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko vowed a shift investigation. Authorities say Russia is the prime suspect, but the lack of progress in the case, coupled with evidence pointing to possible Ukrainian involvement, weakens Kyiv’s credibility and suggests the need for an independent probe.