(RepublicanDaily.org) – A Chilean-American filmmaker known for creating controversial content died in a Ukrainian prison recently.
Gonzalo Lira, who was born in Burbank, California and lived for a time in Los Angeles, was jailed in May last year for publishing content that “justified Russian aggression against Ukraine,” according to Ukraine’s Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security. Pro-Russian propaganda is considered a serious criminal offense under Ukrainian law.
Lira initially secured released on bail but was arrested again after posting a video saying that he intended to leave Ukraine. Law enforcement in Ukraine said that they apprehended Lira attempting to flee the country on a motorcycle at the border the country shares with Hungary. Authorities claim that Lira’s actions constituted a violation of his bail agreement.
In his last letter to his sister, Lira said that he was suffering from pneumonia and edema (swelling) in various parts of his body. The filmmaker said the prison has largely ignored his plight but he was scheduled to undergo a procedure to reduce the swelling in his body.
The 55-year-old Youtuber was known for creating and posting controversial content, such as his anti-feminist “dating” advice and “pick-up” strategies, which he posted under the monicker, “Coach Red Pill.” Following news of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, however, he became an outspoken advocate of the Putin-led military incursion. He has defended Putin’s invasion multiple times and has even called the armed conflict “one of the most brilliant invasions in military history.” Lira has also called Volodymry Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, a “cokehead.”
The U.S. State Department has confirmed Lira’s death.
“We can confirm the death of U.S. citizen Gonzalo Lira in Ukraine,” a spokesperson from the State Department told news outlets. The department also extended its condolences to Lira’s family.
Lira’s plight was initially picked up by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who claimed that the Biden administration fully supported the “imprisonment and torture” of a U.S. citizen in Ukraine.
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