Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Boris German. SIPA USA/PA Images
Murder plot

Man jailed for plotting to kill 'murdered' Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko

Babchenko made headlines around the world earlier this year by faking his own murder.

UKRAINE SAYS IT has jailed a man who plotted an assassination attempt against a Russian journalist who sparked a worldwide outcry earlier this year by faking his own murder.

Ukraine security chief Vassyl Grytsak said a Kiev court had on Thursday sentenced Borys German, a Ukrainian citizen, to four-and-a-half years in prison after he was found guilty of helping to plot an attempt on the life of anti-Kremlin reporter Arkady Babchenko.

He said that German had pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with the investigation.

Babchenko hit international headlines in May by faking his own murder in collaboration with the Ukrainian authorities.

Kiev sent shockwaves through Ukraine and Russia by announcing in May that Babchenko had been shot dead at his home in a contract-style killing.

But at a news conference the next day, Babchenko reappeared in person, stunning the world and sparking anger among journalists and press freedom groups across the globe.

Kiev came under heavy criticism for staging the killing, but insisted that it was the only way to prevent a real assassination.

Russia: Journalist Arkady Babchenko Journalist Arkady Babchenko, file photo. SIPA USA / PA Images SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images

German, a weapons manufacturer, was arrested in May on suspicion of organising a murder attempt against Babchenko, after allegedly being recruited by Russian secret services.

Oleksiy Tsymbaliuk, a former Ukrainian Orthodox priest who fought against pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine’s east, said he had been approached by German and offered money to kill Babchenko.

Babchenko had left Russia in February 2017 after receiving death threats.

He has contributed to a number of media outlets including Russian opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta and is an avid blogger.

He has accused Russian authorities of killing Kremlin critics and unleashing wars in Ukraine, Syria and elsewhere.

Moscow has angrily denied any accusation of involvement in an assassination plot and said the staging of Babchenko’s murder was a “provocation” to discredit Russia.

© AFP 2018

Your Voice
Readers Comments
4
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel