Head of the Voice of America Eastern Europe Bureau supports political prisoner Larysa Shchyrakova
Renowned Ukrainian journalist and head of the Voice of America Eastern Europe Bureau, Myroslava Gongadze, congratulated our imprisoned colleague, Larysa Shchyrakova, on receiving the Free Media Awards and recorded a message of support for her.
Myroslava Gongadze attended the Free Media Awards ceremony, where Larysa Shchyrakova was one of the laureates. Shchyrakova is currently serving a 3.5‑year prison sentence. Human rights defender Leanid Sudalenka accepted the award on her behalf. Through him, Myroslava Gongadze sent her congratulations to the Gomel journalist.
“I want you to stay strong because I really understand how hard it is. I too have experienced various tragedies in my life, but you are strong, and I am sure that you will win this battle. And we will all win,” Myroslava Gongadze said in her message to Larysa Shchyrakova.
Watch the address in Ukrainian
Myroslava Gongadze is a Ukrainian journalist and head of the Voice of America Eastern Europe Bureau. Myroslava’s husband, journalist Georgiy Gongadze, was kidnapped and murdered in 2000. Since then, she has become a prominent public figure advocating for press freedom and journalists’ safety in Ukraine. She continues to seek justice for her husband’s murder.