Online media journalist attacked in Kryvyi Rih

The attack was carried out on a special correspondent of the online media SVOI. Kryvyi Rih/founder of the publication, Oleksii Taimurzin, told Suspilne. According to him, the attack may be related to the victim’s professional activities and a recent investigation.

“Today at 1:39 p.m., unknown individuals attacked Serhii, our special correspondent, on a volunteer basis. Serhii and his family went into a store. A man approached him and began to threaten him,” he said.

According to Oleksii, the journalist left the store to talk to them in the absence of his family, and they attacked him. Serhii has a broken nose, a bruised retina, bruised ribs, and a concussion. The man lost consciousness seven times in the ambulance.

“According to our information, the attacker, who was caught on surveillance cameras, has a previous conviction and is being sought by the police. The newsroom of SVOI links the attack to the professional activities of the media. Our journalists have repeatedly received threats of physical violence because of their investigations,” said Oleksii Taimurzin.

The police have identified a 32-year-old man involved in the attack. They have also opened criminal proceedings under Section 1 of Article 122 of the Penal Code of Ukraine.

The issue of serving the man with a notice of suspicion is currently being resolved. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.