REUTERS

The European Union has reacted to the death of Kherson activist Kateryna Handziuk, saying tangible steps to reverse the worrying trend of attacks against civil society activists and investigative journalists in Ukraine must be taken.

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"We expect the Ukrainian authorities to redouble their efforts to swiftly and thoroughly investigate this crime and to bring those behind it to justice. Furthermore, tangible steps to reverse the worrying trend of attacks against civil society activists and investigative journalists in Ukraine must be taken," an EU spokesperson said in a statement.

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"A vibrant civil society is crucial in any democratic society, and it is of utmost importance that this is protected – in Ukraine as elsewhere," the statement said.