The nationalist former member of Ukraine’s parliament, Iryna Farion, was shot and killed by a gunman in Lviv, a city in western Ukraine. The authorities are conducting a wide search for the assailant, with Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko suggesting the shooting may be linked to Farion’s political activities or a personal motive. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the act of violence and is closely monitoring the efforts to capture the gunman.
Farion was known for her campaigns to defend the Ukrainian language and discredit public officials who spoke Russian. She was a member of the Svoboda party, serving in parliament and on the Lviv regional council. Despite Ukrainian being the sole state language, many residents speak Russian as a first language due to Soviet influence. Farion’s efforts to promote the Ukrainian language were well-known, and she was vocal in her support for Ukrainian language rights.
In the past, Farion had made controversial statements regarding the Russian language, calling for violence against Russian speakers during conflicts with Russian-backed separatists. After the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, she denounced Russian-speaking fighters defending Mariupol. The issue of language has long been important in Ukraine, with efforts to promote and protect the use of Ukrainian in public life and the service industry. The death of Farion has shocked the nation and highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding language and nationalism in Ukraine.
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