Journalist Gonzalo Lira is behind bars for reporting the truth about the war in Ukraine, the U.S. State Department has confirmed.

Lira was jailed in May in Ukraine after officials stated he had “justified the Russian invasion” with his popular YouTube reporting about the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Lira made a video after he was granted bail in July stating that he was going to flee the country, pleading with another nation to grant him asylum. Lira’s escape plans were ultimately unsuccessful, and he remains behind bars.

“We are aware of the detention of Mr. Lira in Ukraine. We take our role in assisting US citizens abroad seriously and are providing all appropriate assistance,” a State Department spokesperson said to Breitbart News on Tuesday.

“We are monitoring the situation but have no further comment at this time. We reiterate our message that US citizens should not travel to Ukraine due to the active armed conflict,” the spokesperson stated.

Big League Politics has reported on the lack of press freedom in Ukraine as they crack down against anyone who opposes the official narrative:

“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has passed a law punishing pro-Russian dissent with up to 15 years in prison.

Zelensky signed a decree claiming that “cooperation with the aggressor state,” which includes pro-Russian statements, could result in up to 15 years in prison…

First Deputy Parliament Speaker Oleksandr Kornienko even wants over 20 “unpatriotic” members of Parliament who have been forced to flee the country jailed for having pro-Russian views…