H. E. Mr. Leonid Kuchma
President of the Republic of the Ukraine
Kiev
Ukraine

Vienna, 20 April 1995

Your Excellency,

The International Press Institute (IPI) strongly condemns the brutal murder of Mr. Vladimir Ivanov, editor-in-chief of the Crimean daily Slava Sevastopolya.

Mr. Ivanov, one of Crimea’s most prominent journalists, was seriously injured on 14 April 1995, when a remote-controlled bomb exploded in a rubbish container outside his home. He was taken to a local hospital, where he underwent three operations and had his legs amputated. We are informed that he died of his injuries late Tuesday, 18 April.

IPI understands that local journalists believe the attack could be connected to the Slava Sevastopolya’s recent criticism of the local police or its opposition to construction of an oil storage terminal.

IPI, a global network of editors and media executives from newspapers, magazines, broadcasting organisations and news agencies in 85 countries, strongly urges that you authorize an immediate and thorough investigation into the killing of Mr. Ivanov and that those responsible are brought to justice. We further urge that you disclose any findings with regard to his assassination.

We thank you for your attention.

Yours sincerely,

Johann P. Fritz
Director