Gonzalo Lira Update! Proof of his Detention on June 29th, and "Kangaroo Court" Trial on August 8th, 2023
Below we publish the latest report on the status of American-Chilean reporter Gonzalo Lira, arrested by the Ukrainian SBU (state security apparatus) on June 29th, 2023.
Gonzalo Lira Update! Proof of his Detention on June 29th, and "Kangaroo Court" Trial on August 8th, 2023
By Il Lebanese and Robert D. Morningstat
Below we publish the latest report on the status of Amerian reporter Gonzalo Lira, arrest by the Ukrainian SBU (state security apparatus) on June 29th, 2023.
Proof of Gonzalo Lira’s detention on June 29th, trial, release on bail, his re-detention after a failed border crossing and his upcoming hearing!
Based on what we will read below, and many more details within the documents themselves, we now know the following:
Gonzalo Lira was detained on 01/05/2023
He was released on bail on 29/06/2023
He attempted to cross the border to hungary on 01/08/2023 and was detained.
He failed to appear to his court hearing on 02/08/2023
He appeared in front of court on 04/08/2023, when it was decided to re-detain him.
A hearing in his initial case is scheduled today 22/08/2023 at 1430 hrs Kharkov time.
A hearing is scheduled on 11/09/2023, in an appeal attempt against his re-detention.
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Based on the transcripts I found using the @OpenDataUa bot on Telegram, from the Dzerzhinsky District Court of Kharkiv, under which he is/ has been/is being prosecuted (among others), Case # 638/1372/23.
"PERSON_5 , INFORMATION_1 , a citizen of Chile and the United States, a native of Los Angeles, California, United States of America, married, not previously convicted, officially unemployed, who actually lives at: ADDRESS_1"
"By the decision of the Dzerzhinsky District Court of Kharkiv of June 26, 2023, criminal proceedings on the charge of PERSON_5 were assigned to trial."
"According to the letter of the State Institution "Kharkiv Detention Center" dated July 7, 2023, PERSON_5 was released on July 6, 2023 on payment of bail in the amount of UAH 402600.00."
"The accused PERSON_5 did not arrive at the court hearing scheduled for August 2, 2023, the court did not inform about the reasons for non-appearance, and did not provide any evidence to confirm the validity of the reason for not appearing in court."
"During the court hearing, the prosecutor attached a letter from the Department of the Security Service of Ukraine in Kharkiv region dated August 1, 2023 No. 70/1-7786 regarding violation of the terms of the preventive measure, according to which Lira Lopez Gonzalo Angel Quintilio on a BMW motorcycle, license plate NUMBER_1, arbitrarily went to the state border of Ukraine with Hungary.
While on the territory of the Transcarpathian region in the period from July 31, 2023 to August 1, 2023, the above-mentioned person made an unsuccessful attempt to cross the state border at the checkpoint "Chop" (Tisa)."
“…After his re-detention, and which decided to re-detain him, we could read the following:
"By the decision of the investigating judge of the Kyiv District Court. Kharkiv dated May 1, 2023, PERSON_7 was placed in custody until June 29, 2023, with a bail amount of UAH 402,600.00, imposed for a period of two months with the following obligations: to appear before the investigator..."
"The accused posted bail, In connection with which he was released from custody on July 6, 2023"
"When the preventive measure is applied, it is explained to the accused that if he, having been duly notified, does not appear when summoned to the investigator, prosecutor, or court, or leaves the city of Kharkiv without the permission of the investigator, prosecutor, or court, the bail is turned over to the income state"
"The accused gave an explanation... He noted that he voluntarily went to the state border of Ukraine. While on the territory of Zakarpattia Oblast in the period from July 31, 2023 to August 1, 2023, he made an unsuccessful attempt to cross the state border at the Chop checkpoint. His breach of duty is justified by the fact that during his stay in the pre-trial detention center, persons previously unknown to him committed violent acts against him, demanded from him the transfer of an amount of 70,000.00 US dollars to the provided bank accounts. (...)
The accused feared for his life and decided to leave the city of Kharkiv."
"Due to the inactivity of the presiding judge, the accused violated the duties assigned to him.
Such inactivity of the court prompted him to violate his duties, he decided that the court wanted the accused to leave the country. He also noted that he was actually detained by SBU employees on August 2, 2023.
Considering the above, after his release from custody""No valid reasons have been given as a basis for preventing the accused from attending the court session scheduled for August 2, 2023.
In addition, no evidence of the accused's appeal to the court or the prosecutor with a request for permission to travel outside the city of Kharkiv was provided."
"Accused PERSON_7, INFORMATION_1, to be taken into custody in the courtroom. The term of detention shall be counted from the day of his actual detention."
Senator Ron Johnson, Gov. Ron DeSantis, RFK Jr. et al. :
I am an investigative journalist and radio news show host residing in New York City.
I am writing to you because I am greatly concerned about the safety and well-being of an international journalist, an American citizen, a reporter named Gonzalo Lira, who was arrested 3 months ago by the Ukrainian SBU (secret security police) for his reports regarding the conduct of the war in Ukraine.
Gonzalo Lira is a courageous and bona fide international journalist who reported many times on my radio show and on many other news programs daily from the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Three (3) months ago, the Ukrainian security police arrived at his door and he was summarily arrested with no charges. His arrest was video taped and I have seen the video many times.
Below is a video report on the arrest of Gonzalo Lira:
Gonzalo Lira complied and did not resist his arrest, which was illegal and which violates all norms for the treatment of journalists under theGeneva Convention.
Since that time, there has been no word from Ukrainian authorities as to his location, his legal status or his well-being.
It is well-known and greatly publicized that Joe Biden was able to secure the release of a convicted drug trafficker named Brittany Griner after her arrest, conviction and sentencing to prison by a criminal court in Russia.
Aug 5, 2022 Brittney Griner: WNBA star sentenced to 9 years in Russian jail for drug-smuggling | CNN WNBA star Brittney Griner sentenced to 9 years in Russian jail for drug-smuggling
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The same concern should be shown for the well-being of journalist Gonzalo Lira, an innocent journalist, convicted of no crime, who is under arrest and secretly in detention by the Zelensky government without a trial or charges filed against him.
I think that it is incumbent upon you, Senator Schumer and the Biden Administration to inquire of the Ukrainian government as to the location, status and well-being of Gonzalo Lira and to make exerted efforts to secure the release of Gonzalo Lira from illegal custody and incarceration by the Ukrainian government and their secret police.
Thank you for your assistance in this urgent matter,
Sincerely
Robert D. Morningstar
Investigative Journalist
Host of The Morningstar Report
on Revolution Radio & WBOU 106.9 FM (Chicago/Milwaukee)
CC:
Senator Rand Paul, Senator Ron Johnson, Senate Dems, House Dems, House, GOP, Senate GOP,
100 years after it was first introduced, Kirsten is leading a new effort to codify the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution and finally guarantee equal rights for all Americans regardless of sex. Her ERA Now resolution will be a model for Democrats across the country on how to protect reproductive rights.
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Thank You for Contacting Me
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
5:04 PM (30 minutes ago)
Thank you for contacting my office. Your thoughts and concerns are very important to me and you will receive a more detailed response shortly. I sincerely appreciate your patience in waiting for this response, as our mail volume is often significant.
If this is a request for assistance with a federal agency or an immigration case, please contact my Department of Constituent Affairs directly by phone at (212) 688 - 6262 or email casework@gillibrand.senate.gov .
Thank you again for contacting my office.
Sincerely,
Kirsten Gillibrand United States Senator
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Readers take note: I ask for your support to free Gonzalo Lira and I urge each of you to call Senator Gillibrand at the number she listed to express your support for Gonzalo Lira.
Please call (212) 688 - 6262 and let Senator Gillibrand and your own representatives in Congress (both in The House & The US Senate) know that Gonzalo Lira should be freed immediately.
Composed & Edited by Robert D. Morningstar
Please support The Morningstar Report by making a pledge or upgrading to paid subscriber through
RobertMorningstar.Substack.com.
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