(CNN) Ex-ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch and at least one congressman referred to the death of a prominent anti-corruption activist Kateryna Handziuk, who died in 2018 following an acid attack, during Friday's impeachment inquiry hearing.

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, a Democrat from New York, asked Yovanovitch, "Why would somebody attack her with acid? There are easier ways to kill people. Why did they do it with acid?"

"I think they wanted her out of the way, but I think the message was this could happen to you, too, if you continue her work," Yovanovitch answered.

"That's what happens when you go up against corrupt people in Ukraine?" Maloney asked.

"It is something that can happen," Yovanovitch said.

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