French Prosecutors Launch War Crime Investigation into Death of AFP Reporter Arman Soldin in Ukraine

French prosecutors have launched a war crime investigation into the death of Agence France-Presse (AFP) reporter Arman Soldin, who was killed in Ukraine on Tuesday. Soldin, 32, was with a team of AFP journalists traveling with Ukrainian soldiers when the group came under fire with Grad rockets near the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.

The investigation, which will be handled by the OCLCH, an investigating unit specializing in crimes against humanity and hate crimes, will seek to determine the exact circumstances of Soldin’s death. The French judiciary has said that Soldin’s death brings to at least 11 the number of journalists killed in Ukraine since the conflict between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists began in 2014.

The attack took place in the vicinity of Chasiv Yar, a town near Bakhmut, the agency said. Russian forces have been trying to capture the city for nine months, making Bakhmut the focus of the war’s longest battle. This has posed a great challenge for journalists trying to report on the conflict, as they are often put in dangerous situations.

The death of Soldin has highlighted the risks that journalists face while reporting in conflict zones. The AFP has called for an independent investigation into the death of Soldin and for those responsible to be held accountable. The agency has also called for greater protection for journalists in conflict zones, saying that the safety of journalists must be ensured so that they can continue to report on the situation in Ukraine.