WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, released the following statement Wednesday after Belarusian-Ukrainian journalist Pavel Sheremet was killed by a car bomb in Kiev, Ukraine:

“I condemn the killing of award-winning journalist Pavel Sheremet in Ukraine. While we do not yet know who was responsible for this tragic murder, we do know that Mr. Sheremet was a leader on anti-corruption issues in Ukraine, where he had lived for the past five years working as a journalist for Ukrayinska Pravda and Radio Vesti, as well as in Russia, and his native Belarus. He leaves a remarkable legacy and his memory will live on and serve as an inspiration for journalists and anti-corruption campaigners around the world.  My thoughts are with Mr. Sheremet’s loved ones during this difficult time.

“Mr. Sheremet’s work often put him at odds with those he covered, as he sought to provide balanced reporting of political repression, corruption, and the closing space for human rights across the countries of the former Soviet Union. I urge the Ukrainian authorities to fully investigate this terrible crime and bring those responsible to justice.  I also urge the U.S. Embassy to offer any appropriate assistance during the investigation.

“Across the globe, journalists take incredible risks to serve an essential function: holding governments and leaders accountable to their citizens. The United States and governments around the world must recommit themselves to protecting press freedom and the vital role it plays in enabling democracy and good governance to prevail.”

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