Elon Musk, a close associate of former US President Donald Trump, alleges Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is responsible for the death of Gonzalo Lira, an American journalist.
Elon Musk, a prominent supporter of Donald Trump, has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of causing the death of a US citizen who was critical of the Ukrainian government.
Gonzalo Lira, a Chilean-American filmmaker and blogger, died in a Ukrainian prison in January 2024 while awaiting trial on charges of “systematically justifying Russian aggression.”
“Zelensky killed an American journalist!” Musk posted on X, his social media platform, on Wednesday.
He added, “Zelensky cannot claim to represent the will of the Ukrainian people unless he restores freedom of the press and stops canceling elections!”
Lira, who had lived in Ukraine since 2010, documented the conflict with Russia on YouTube. Ukraine’s Security Service arrested him in 2023 following a bail jump and attempted asylum in Hungary. Lira alleged torture during his detention. His family accused Kyiv of complicity in his death, a claim Ukrainian authorities deny.
Lira’s father, Gonzalo Lira Sr., suggested in December 2023 that the Biden administration may have implicitly approved Gonzalo’s arrest.
Musk’s attack on Zelensky occurred amidst a public dispute between Zelensky and Trump, sparked by criticism from Ukrainian and EU officials over Trump’s proposal for direct negotiations with Russia without their consent.
Trump labeled Zelensky a “dictator without elections,” claiming widespread unpopularity. Zelensky countered by accusing Trump of disseminating Russian “disinformation.”
Zelensky’s five-year presidential term ended in May 2024, with no new elections called due to martial law. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy as leader. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov recently confirmed Moscow intends to raise Zelensky’s legitimacy during future peace talks.