Prosecution Of Russian Troops Who Shot Swiss Journalist In Ukraine

The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has opened a war crimes case against a Russian special unit accused of shooting at a Swiss journalist in Ukraine.

Swiss journalist Guillaume Briquet, poses in undated photo. Switzerland’s Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has opened a war crimes probe in connection with his shooting on Mar. 6, 2022. (Kirovohrad Regional Police/Newsflash)

Victim Guillaume Briquet was wounded when his car came under fire at close range by Russian military personnel in Mykolaiv Oblast on 6th March 2022.

Several bullets reportedly penetrated the windscreen of the armoured car, which was clearly marked “Press”.

The journalist was taken to a hospital in the city of Kropyvnytskyi with injuries to his face and forearm.

His passport, EUR 3,000 (GBP 2,600), personal items, camera and filming equipment, and laptop were taken from him.

The OAG opened the case after the NGO Truth Hounds, which has been documenting war crimes in Ukraine since 2014, lodged a complaint.

It is the first war crimes case in connection with the war in Ukraine opened by the OAG.

The NGO wants the attackers, who are said to comprise a Russian special unit, to be identified.

Image shows Swiss journalist Guillaume Briquet, undated photo. Switzerland’s Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has opened a war crimes probe in connection with his shooting on Mar. 6, 2022. (Kirovohrad Regional Police/Newsflash)

An earlier statement by the Kirovohrad Oblast Police said: “Guillaume Briquet, a citizen of Switzerland and an independent journalist who was covering events in Ukraine, was traveling towards Mykolaiv on 6th March when his armoured car was shot at by Russian occupation forces.

“As a result, several bullets hit the glass, causing injuries to the foreigner. The journalist suffered injuries to his face and forearm.

“After stopping the vehicle, the Russian occupiers took documents, money, photo and video equipment, a laptop, and other valuable items from the journalist and then released him.

“The injured journalist quickly headed to the territory of Kirovohrad Oblast. At a checkpoint, he was met by police officers from Kropyvnytskyi, who helped him get to a medical facility, where he received medical assistance.”