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[IN PICTURES] The Place de la République covered with coffins this Thursday

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The Editor

© Robin Grassi / RSF

We're used to seeing protests and crowds in Republic Square. But the gathering that took place on Thursday, February 20, was truly something different. This time, it wasn't angry people shouting slogans, but dozens of coffins. Let us explain everything.

There are exactly 20 coffins, open or closed, that were placed yesterday in the Place de la République. This action is quite different, organized by about thirty members of the NGO Reporters Without Borders to raise awareness about the fate of Ukrainian journalists who are detained or killed by the Russians, nearly 3 years to the day since the start of the conflict. It's their way of defending freedom of expression around the world once again.


A situation that has lasted too long

« While we talk about a truce, there are Ukrainian journalists being interrogated, tortured, and humiliated in Russian prisons. Journalists who are just doing their jobs. It's unacceptable ». These are the words of Thibaut Bruttin, managing director of Reporters Without Borders, explaining the protest held this Thursday.

on February 20th right in the heart of Paris. At the foot of the immense fountain in Place de la République, 19 open coffins were arranged to support the 19 journalists still held in Russian prisons. This was an opportunity for the NGO to remind everyone that some of these imprisonments are well before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, as some of the reporters have been detained for over 10 years.


A Moment of Reflection

In addition to showing support, this event was also a tribute to journalist Victoria Rochtchina, who passed away on September 19, 2024 in Russian prisons under still quite unclear circumstances. In her memory, a twentieth coffin, closed this time, was placed in front of the others, surrounded by flowers and candles. This tragedy is far from being an isolated event, as since the beginning of the conflict, according to RSF, 11 journalists have lost their lives while doing their jobs. «There is a threat hanging over these journalists; their lives are at stake. We hope not to have to close these coffins!» concluded Thibaut Bruttin, who hopes to raise awareness with actions like this.