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Ukraine: First OSCE hostage released

PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge 28.04.2014 09:30
One member of a group of observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe has been released by pro-Russian separatists in Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine.

Released
Released Swedish military observer (C-R, no name available) leaves the regional administration building in the eastern Ukrainain city of Slovyansk, 27 April 2014. Photo: EPA/Igor Kovalenko

It is understood that the Swedish citizen, who suffers from diabetes, was released on medical grounds, but the remaining six members, including three Germans, a Pole, a Czech and a Dane, remain in custody.

While condemning the abduction, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter has said that the release of the Swedish observer is “a positive step.”

He added that the OSCE “continues to work at all levels – through the Special Monitoring Mission on the ground in Ukraine as well as through high-level political contacts – to assist for the release of all the detained persons.”

Andrei Kelin, Russia's envoy to the OSCE, has claimed that Moscow will “undertake all possible steps” to secure the release of the observers.

The group, which included five Ukrainian soldiers, was hijacked in a bus on Friday while nearing a checkpoint on the outskirts of Slovyansk.

Self-styled people's mayor of Slovyansk has claimed that the OSCE observers are not hostages, but “guests.”

He has also claimed to have arrested three members of Ukraine's intelligence services (SBU).

Meanwhile, pro-Russian militants have occupied television and radio station offices in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, in the latest seizure of public buildings in the region. On Monday morning, separatists in the city of Luhansk declared a republic in the city.

Moscow has continually denied involvement with the rebels in the region, and claims that Russian troops along the border are simply carrying out military exercises. (nh)

Source: OSCE, PAP, AP

tags: Russia, Ukraine
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