THE death of Armand Solden “he shook us all”: o president of France Emmanuel Macronexpressed his “sincere condolences” in a letter to AFP employees after the death, in eastern Ukraine, of their colleague who embodied “the passion of information”.

Born in Bosnia, Solden, the video service’s coordinator in Ukraine, was killed in a bombing on May 9 at the age of 32 while reporting with colleagues near the besieged city of Bakhmut, the epicenter of fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces.

“His death leaves us with a huge void. And it shakes us all,” Macron wrote in his letter, adding that he was thinking of “the pain of his family and loved ones.”

The French president vows that “those responsible for this death” will be prosecuted. “All the authorities of the Republic will ensure that justice is served,” he insists. The French anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office is already conducting a preliminary war crime investigation.

Despite “pain and anger (…) Armand Sölden’s memory will also be honored with admiration and pride,” Macron continued. “His name will be associated with the honor of your profession,” he wrote to AFP reporters, assuring them of “his continued support.”

“We will always defend the freedom of information, which is essential for democracy, and we will do everything to protect journalists,” he concluded.