KHARKIV, Ukraine – Gonzalo Lira, a US-Chilean dual citizen and controversial online figure, has been arrested by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) in Kharkiv on charges related to producing pro-Russian propaganda.
Lira could face a prison sentence ranging from five to eight years if convicted.
The former online dating coach is accused of creating and distributing materials supporting and rationalising Putin’s military aggression against Ukraine.
Lira was taken into custody on Monday, May 1, 2023, at his Kharkiv residence, where Ukrainian authorities reportedly discovered further evidence of his illegal activities.
The SBU announced the arrest of an unidentified foreign blogger last Friday, and the Kharkiv prosecutor’s office shared a blurred video of Lira online.
Lira, who has transitioned from offering dating advice to becoming a source of propaganda for Russian state media, has insulted Ukraine’s president and referred to Ukrainians defending their homeland as “armed criminals.”
Ukrainian authorities have accused Lira of deliberately filming soldiers to undermine their military service.
In addition, Lira has tracked American reporters in Ukraine, denouncing them as “system pig journalists” and disclosing their hotel locations.
American journalist Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, who currently serves in Ukraine’s Armed Forces and is slated to testify in Lira’s criminal case, told The Daily Beast, “This justice has been a long time coming. His arrest this week shows that Ukrainian officials don’t bow to popular pressure when a factual investigation leads to the truth.”
Ashton-Cirillo added, “I’ve already given my sworn statement to SBU about Gonzalo Lira several months ago and expect to be called as a witness in his prosecution.”
Defending Putin’s actions, Lira argued that Russia was making a concerted effort to avoid civilian casualties and infrastructure damage, predicting that Ukraine would thrive under Russian rule.
Lira has also promoted debunked conspiracy theories, including Russian claims of discovering “American bioweapons labs” in Ukraine.
Sources close to the investigation have stated that Lira’s appearance on The Donbass Devushka’s show increased scrutiny of his activities, which were under surveillance following his previous questioning and release.
Lira’s online presence, which included posting videos and commentary on YouTube, Telegram, and Twitter, sought to attribute blame for the Russian Federation’s strikes to Ukraine.
Russian state television has praised Lira’s video blogs as impartial reporting, showcasing them on several programs. Lira’s YouTube and Telegram channels have amassed over 300,000 combined subscribers.
