**BLUF: Gonzalo Lira is seeking political asylum in Hungary after being arrested and imprisoned in Ukraine for his YouTube videos criticizing the West and the regime in Kiev. He faced torture and extortion during his three-month custody and is now sharing his story to shed light on the corruption and injustices of the Ukrainian government.**
I embarked on a journey across Ukraine on my motorcycle, determined to seek political asylum in Hungary. Failure to appear in court would lead to an international arrest warrant, likely resulting in my extradition and imprisonment. However, I am hopeful that the Hungarian authorities will reject such actions based on the unjust nature of my indictment. As I approach the border checkpoint, I share this update with you. If you do not hear from me within the next 12 hours, it may mean that I have been sent to a labor camp. The current situation is a reflection of the challenges I have faced over the past three months.
On May 1, I was detained due to the content of my YouTube videos, which were critical of the West and the proxy regime in Kiev. The arrest itself provided comical images, as I looked like a character from Dr. Seuss due to my messy morning hair. It is important to note that my indictment acknowledges that I did not commit any crimes against individuals or property, nor did I provide aid or intelligence to the Russians. My only offense was discussing publicly known facts about the war, which is a fundamental exercise of free speech in a democracy.
Unfortunately, Zelensky’s Ukraine is far from being a true democracy. It disguises its corrupt and criminal activities behind a façade of democracy and the rule of law. Any individual who speaks the truth about the war is relentlessly and unjustly persecuted by this regime. Numerous propagandists have been unjustly imprisoned, paralleling the regime’s harsh treatment of Ukrainian soldiers who attempt to retreat, resulting in concealed and devastating losses for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
Upon my arrival at Sizo Prison, I was subjected to torture and mistreatment by other prisoners, who were acting under the orders of the guards. The initial assaults left me with a cracked rib, but the worst experience occurred in my fourth cell. During a continuous session lasting over 30 hours, I endured physical abuse, sleep deprivation, and twisted arms. One particularly distressing moment involved two individuals holding my head while scratching the whites of my left eye with a toothpick, asking if I could still read with only one eye. Nevertheless, I have endured beatings before and managed to overcome the pain.
It is worth noting that the violence I experienced was not solely due to my YouTube videos. The SBU (Security Service of Ukraine) realized that I possessed financial resources and thus took advantage of the situation to extort money from me. The guards acted as accomplices, utilizing the prisoners as enforcers. Unfortunately, the details of this extortion scheme are too complex for a Twitter thread, but they will be thoroughly explained in a book I am currently writing. In total, I lost $100,000 throughout this ordeal, including bail money and funds extorted from me.
Regrettably, I have made the decision to leave Ukraine before my trial scheduled for Wednesday, August 2, as I have been informed that I will be found guilty regardless of the evidence presented in my defense. My primary objective is to ensure my safety and escape the corrupt clutches of the Ukrainian judicial system.
But thou, LORD, art most high forevermore. (Ps 92:8)Source…