Pavlo Sadokha, Ukrainian activist, found dead in Portugal

Portuguese prosecutors have opened an inquiry into the death of Pavlo Sadokha, a 56-year-old Ukrainian activist and president of the Association of Ukrainians in Portugal. Sadokha was found dead on Sunday in a residence in Quarteira, located in the Algarve region, while on a professional trip.

While initial police findings by the GNR and INEM detected no immediate evidence of a crime and noted Sadokha’s history of heart issues, the Public Prosecution Service has launched a probe to rule out the involvement of third parties. Forensic examinations, including an autopsy and toxicology tests, are being conducted, with results expected in three to four weeks.

Sadokha was a prominent critic of Vladimir Putin and a leader within the Ukrainian community. The Embassy of Ukraine in Portugal and the World Congress of Ukrainians expressed grief over his passing. In 2022, Sadokha had previously reported death threats following his denunciations of organizations allegedly linked to Russia operating in Portugal.