Gonzalo Lira, a Chilean-American filmmaker and YouTuber, died on Friday, January 12, 2024, at the age of 55 in a Ukrainian prison, as confirmed by the State Department.
Lira, who was born in Burbank, California, and spent part of his childhood in the Los Angeles area, became a contentious figure due to his pro-Russian content on social media, which led to his arrest in Ukraine under accusations of spreading Russian propaganda.
Lira’s case gained attention for its complex political and legal implications. He was initially detained in May 2023 and released on bail later in the year.
However, his subsequent re-arrest occurred after he posted a video indicating intentions to leave Ukraine, violating his bail conditions. Ukrainian authorities charged Lira under Article 463-2 of the Ukrainian criminal law, which criminalizes the justification of Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Reports from various news sources indicate that Lira’s online activities primarily involved posting pro-Russian content that supported Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
These actions were considered a criminal offense in Ukraine. Before his arrest, Lira had made several controversial posts, including derogatory remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and praise for Putin’s military strategies.
According to a statement from his father released through The Grayzone, it appears the death of Lira followed a prolonged struggle with pneumonia that lasted almost three months.
His condition, reportedly neglected by his captors in Ukraine, was only addressed in the final weeks leading up to his death.
The unfortunate news of Lira’s passing was made public by his father, Gonzalo Lira, Sr., who had been actively seeking assistance from the U.S. embassy to address his son’s critical health situation.
Prior to his death, Lira had claimed to have been subjected to torture in prison and expressed fears for his safety if convicted. His attempts to flee to Hungary for political asylum were thwarted when he was apprehended near the Hungarian border.
The State Department spokesperson extended their sincerest condolences to Lira’s family and stated their readiness to provide consular assistance. However, they refrained from further comment out of respect for the family during this difficult time.