22 cases on journalists' rights violations opened in January–March 2024 – PGOU

In January–March 2024, the police opened 22 cases on crimes targeting media workers. One of them was investigated and submitted to court with an indictment, according to the May 31, 2024 reply by the Prosecutor General's Office to IMI's request regarding the situation with probes into crimes against journalists.

Out of the total number of cases, 17 were filed under Article 171 ("Obstruction of legal professional work of journalists") of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Five cases were closed.

Five proceedings were filed under Article 345-1 ("Death threats or violent threats to a journalist") of the Criminal Code. One of them was closed and one case was submitted to court.

Investigations into crimes against journalists: statistics for the previous years

2023:

• 77 cases opened by the police;
  
• 7 of those submitted to court.

2022:

• 88 cases opened;
  
• 4 of those submitted to court.
  

2021:

• 248 cases opened;
  
• 27 of those submitted to court.

2020:

• 249 cases opened;
  
• 16 indictments submitted to court.

2019:

• 259 cases opened;
  
• 14 of those submitted to court.

2018:

• 287 cases opened;
  
• 22 of those submitted to court.

2017:

• 290 cases opened;
  
• 23 of those submitted to court.

2016:

• 102 cases opened;
  
• 31 of those submitted to court.

In January–March, IMI recorded 33 violations of freedom of speech committed by Ukraine's citizens and 22 violations committed by Russia targeting journalists and the media in Ukraine.