NBC’s Richard Engel ‘Detained by Pro-Russian Militia in Crimea’
NBC News reporter Richard Engel was reportedly captured by “pro-Russian militia” forces while reporting on the escalating situation in Ukrainian Crimea.
Engle took to Twitter after his release where he said that he is safe and that he was to be “deported” back to Ukraine.
Detained by pro russian militia in crimea. Questioned for an hour or so. Not allowed to move or phone. Then released. #ukraine
— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) March 13, 2014
We took the train to avoid militia checkpoints. Theyre now also at train stations in #crimea. #ukraine
— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) March 13, 2014
Militiaman wore russian flag armbands. Big. Tough looking. Not brandishing guns #crimea. #ukraine.
— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) March 13, 2014
militiamen first told us we'd be deported "back to #ukraine". Eventually we talked them out of it. they let us go. #crimea.
— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) March 13, 2014
RELATED: NBC News’ Richard Engel Released Safely After Kidnapping And Five Day Captivity In Syria
Crimea is scheduled to hold a referendum on whether to join the Russian Federation on Sunday. The peninsula’s parliament voted last week to join the Russian Federation after Russian forces invaded and occupied that Ukrainian territory.
In December, 2012, Engel was captured and detained by anti-government forces in Syria while reporting on the ongoing civil war in that country. Following a firefight in which two of Engel’s captors were killed, Engel was safely released after spending several days in captivity.
[h/t Interpreter Mag]
[Photo via NBC News]
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