Former Ukrainian parliamentarian and linguist Iryna Farion died on July 19, 2024, after being shot in the head in Lviv, Ukraine. The attack occurred around 19:30 local time near her home on Masaryk Street. Despite immediate medical intervention at the First Medical Territorial Union of Lviv, Farion’s injuries were deemed incompatible with life.The shooter, described as a 20-25-year-old man wearing gloves, remains at large. Ukrainian authorities have launched a special operation to apprehend the suspect, with all police services and departments in Lviv and the surrounding area involved in the manhunt.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly condemned the attack, stating that ‘any violence deserves only condemnation and everyone responsible for this attack must face full responsibility’. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Igor Klymenko, and the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Malyuk, are providing operational reports on the search for the perpetrator.Farion, 60, was a former member of the ultranationalist party Svoboda and served as a parliamentarian from 2012 to 2014. She was known for her controversial statements regarding the Russian language in Ukraine, including calls for the ‘absolute and complete utilization’ of Russian-speaking residents. In 2015, a criminal case was opened against her in Russia for allegedly making destructive and violent calls to action at a Kiev rally in 2014.The mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadovy, expressed condolences to Farion’s family and those who knew and loved her, stating that ‘there is no safe place in Ukraine anymore’. The incident has shocked the nation and raised concerns about political violence in Ukraine, with some viewing it as an attack on democracy.
Key points
- Former Ukrainian MP Iryna Farion died on July 19, 2024, after being shot in the head in Lviv, Ukraine.
- The shooter remains at large, and Ukrainian authorities have launched a special operation to apprehend the suspect.
- Farion was known for her controversial statements regarding the Russian language in Ukraine and her ultranationalist views.
- The assassination has raised concerns about political violence in Ukraine.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported time of the attack, with some sources stating it occurred around 19:30, while others report it was around 20:00.
