Odesa journalist reports threats to send him to the front line

On June 27, 2024, the "Alternatyva.org" chief editor (Odesa oblast) Roman Varshanidze reported threats from an unknown person who claimed to be a Defense Intelligence representative. According to the journalist, that day he worked at a medical institution in Ovidiopil, where he had an unpleasant work-related conversation with the chief doctor.

"After our conversation, at approximately 6 p.m., I received a call from someone who claimed to be a Defense Intelligence representative and threatened that if I approached the doctor again, he would send me to  the front line. I replied that he should start the procedure right now, because I will not let this matter slide," the journalist wrote.

Roman Varshanidze told the Institute of Mass Information representative in Odesa oblast that on June 28, the police opened a case under Article 345-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, death threats or violence against a journalist.

"On July 7, I spoke with the investigator, the person who called me has not yet been identified, the operative unit is dealing with this. There was no more pressure since then," the journalist added.