A couple of days ago a story of a murder of a prominent Russian journalist and a known Kremlin opponent Arkady Babchenko blew out the journalist community. One day after it turned out the murder was staged
Early morning on May 30 media released breaking news. A prominent Russian journalist and a known Kremlin opponent Arkady Babchenko was shot down in his own apartment in Kyiv, Ukraine, and died on the way to a hospital. Many people from the journalist and human rights community were grieving, big political statements were made
VOA, May 30, 2018
The day after it turned out mr.Babchenko is alive, and the murder was faked. Babchenko appeared alive and spoke on a Ukrainian security press conference, the security agency officials explained the death had been faked as part of an operation to save the reporter’s life. Reportedly, a suspected organizer of the murder.
Yep, it’s a very real life story, not a Hollywood movie. And it’s great that the reporter is alive. Although, the situation has risen many questions as well as some ethical concerns.
Totally agree with @McFaul here. We should be celebrating Babchenko’s survival. Too many people have been killed by Putin. Thank god there’s one less https://t.co/OQPAVnRdqS
— Bill Browder (@Billbrowder) June 1, 2018
Assassins were trying kill Babchenko. He has every right to do anything to survive. (As someone who also has had death threats lodged against me, I find lectures about how hunted people are supposed to act to be insensitive.) https://t.co/zuBZyOSYzA
— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) May 31, 2018
I am delighted that Arkady Babchenko is alive and that the SBU has caught a Russian hit squad. This may be tactically brilliant but from what I have heard so far it was strategically ill-advised. We have enough problems with Kremlin fake news without manufacturing our own
— Edward Lucas (@edwardlucas) May 30, 2018
So now every time a journalist is murdered, those responsible will unleash their bots and propagandists to say it’s fake news. Thanks, Ukrainian security services. That’s really helpful to all who care about journalists’ safety. #Babchenko
— Lindsey Hilsum (@lindseyhilsum) May 30, 2018
Russian dissident journalist Arkady Babchenko's fake death could have unwittingly handed Russia a propaganda coup pic.twitter.com/KxgM9WOlfV
— Reuters TV (@ReutersTV) June 1, 2018
