Pro-Russian Militiamen in Eastern Ukraine Release American journalist Simon Ostrovsky
LONDON — American journalist Simon Ostrovsky, who has been reporting in Eastern Ukraine for U.S.-based news channel Vice News, has been released by pro-Russian militiamen, who abducted him earlier this week.
Vice News said it is “delighted to confirm that our colleague and friend Simon Ostrovsky has been safely released, and is in good health. We would like to thank everyone for their support during this difficult time. Out of respect for Simon and his family’s privacy, we have no further statement at this time.”
Ostrovsky was taken hostage in Slavyansk by a group led by Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, the rebel town’s self-proclaimed “People’s Mayor.” Stella Khorosheva, a spokeswoman for the rebels, said Wednesday that Ostrovsky was being held because he was suspected of spying for Right Sector, the far-right Ukrainian nationalist party, or other “enemy groups.”
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