Iryna Farion, a 60-year-old former Ukrainian nationalist MP known for her staunch advocacy of the Ukrainian language, has died after being shot on the street in Lviv, a city in western Ukraine. The attack occurred on Friday, and Ms. Farion succumbed to her injuries in the hospital.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated that the shooting was being treated as a premeditated assassination attempt, with several potential motives being investigated, including those related to Ms. Farion’s social, political, and personal engagements. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the violence and emphasized that those responsible must face consequences.
Ms. Farion joined the nationalist Svoboda (Freedom) party in 2005 and was elected to parliament in 2012, though she did not succeed in subsequent elections. She also served on the Lviv regional council. She gained notoriety for her frequent campaigns promoting the Ukrainian language and criticizing public figures who used Russian.
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In 2023, Ms. Farion caused controversy by suggesting that “true patriots” of Ukraine should not speak Russian in any situation, arguing that it symbolizes the enemy responsible for various atrocities. Her remarks sparked a heated debate within Ukraine, leading to accusations of stoking animosity based on linguistic preferences. She faced repercussions for her statements, including dismissal from a university in western Ukraine and an investigation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). However, a ruling by the Lviv Court of Appeal in May reportedly reinstated her to her former position.
The authorities have launched a wide search for the alleged shooter, and the nationalist Svoboda party has attributed Ms. Farion’s death to Russia, emphasizing a connection to language politics.