MARCH 21, 1991 — MAY 9, 2023
32 YEARS, VIDEO JOURNALIST
Arman was killed by the russian «Grad» multiple launch rocket system. The projectile hit the area near him, as he was taking cover during the shelling. This happened on May 9, 2023, near Chasiv Yar just outside Bakhmut, the epicenter of the war zone in the East of Ukraine. Arman was there with a group of four colleagues and some Ukrainian servicemen. They lived, but had to witness the death of their friend.
Arman was a correspondent for the French media Agence France-Presse (AFP). Since September of 2022, he had been residing in Ukraine and frequenting the frontlines.
In his reporting, Arman documented how Ukrainians fight for their freedom, gruesome battles, lives of civilians who became victims of war and tried to survive under inhumane circumstances and annihilation of entire towns. He also demonstrated humanity and kindness to every living creature.
Arman was dedicated to his craft beyond measure. Once the tiresome work day was done, he uploaded the footage online to tell the world more about what he saw. Just a few days prior to his demise, Arman saved an exhausted hedgehog in the trenches. He nurtured the animal back to health and set him free.
In December of 2022, in Kherson, Arman filmed the dangerous rescue of Ukrainians, who were trapped on the islands amidst Dnipro River, when the russian troops retreated to the left bank. His footage from January 2023 showcased the intensive russian offensive on Soledar and Vuhledar.
The journalist was born in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. When the Bosnian war began, Arman was one year old. In 1992, his family fled to France. Arman said that the fate of the refugees resonated with him because of his own life story.
«Arman’s death is a horrific reminder of the risks and dangers, which are faced by the journalists, who cover the conflict in Ukraine», said the Chairman & CEO of AFP, Fabrice Fries. The French President, Emmanuel Macron, posthumously awarded the reporter the Legion d’Honneur, the highest honor of France.
When the news of Arman’s death broke out, the social networks exploded with a video with Arman and his colleagues singing “Forever young”. The footage was from April 2022, when the journalists were heading to Dnipro and then to Kramatorsk. At the time, they had been investigating the Bucha massacres for a week. They were worn out and tired, but sang with gusto.
That song was symbolic, for there are words within it about hoping for the best, yet bracing for the worst; it’s better to die young than to live forever and that heaven can wait. But this time heaven didn’t...
