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Diahuebs, 07 October 2021
Ukrainian state bank CEO resigns
after assaulting journalists
The head of a major Ukrainian state-owned bank
has resigned after a scuffle with journalists.
Yevgen Metsger was filmed assaulting reporters
during an interview at his Ukreximbank office on
Monday.
Video of the incident has been viewed more than
430,000 times on YouTube and has prompted an
outcry in Ukraine.
"At an emergency extraordinary meeting, the
Supervisory Board of Ukreximbank decided to
suspend the chairman," the bank said in a statement.
Ukreximbank -- Ukraine's third-largest bank -- also
apologised for Metsger's "deplorable behaviour" and
said that an internal investigation was underway.
Metsger has also released a statement apologising
for his "unacceptable" actions and confirming his
resignation.
"My overly emotional reaction and unrestrained
behaviour towards journalists have no justification.
I am fully aware of my responsibility."
"I have always considered and still consider freedom
of speech and a free press to be the foundation of
democracy and true state independence."
The assault took place during the CEO's interview
with investigative journalists from the US-funded
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (REFRL).
Metsger cut the interview short after a question
about a loan granted by Ukreximbank to companies
reportedly linked to pro-Russian separatists in
Ukraine.
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INTERN A TION AL
The offices of the Ukrainian state bank Ukreximbank are
pictured in Kyiv. - Copyright SERGEI SUPINSKY / AFP
The CEO could be seen ordering journalists to "turn
off" the camera and "erase" the footage.
According to RFERL, bank employees assaulted
their cameraman and took his equipment by force.
Ukreximbank initially denied the allegations and
accused the journalists of provoking the incident,
but they later retracted their statement when the
video emerged.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has
condemned the "unacceptable" behaviour of the
bank officials, while the country's US and British
embassies have also expressed concern.
"Freedom of speech is one of the fundamental values
in Ukraine," said Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the
head of the President's Office.
"It is the duty of officials at all levels to communicate
correctly with journalists and to respect their right
to ask any questions of public importance."
Ukrainian police have opened an investigation
for "obstructing the professional activities of
journalists".
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