OSCE Chief Monitor in Ukraine deplores escalation of violence in Donetsk region

KYIV, 23 April 2014 - Recent violent events in the Donetsk region are distressing and entirely inconsistent with the spirit of the Geneva statement agreed by the European Union, the Russian Federation, Ukraine and the United States, the head of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine Ambassador Ertugral Apakan said today.

"The reported torture and killing of two individuals, including a local politician, are grave incidents,” said  Apakan. “This represents a significant escalation of what is already a tense situation. Furthermore, the harassment and abduction of journalists is unacceptable. They should be released immediately."

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine has been deployed following a decision by the OSCE Permanent Council of 21 March 2014, in ten locations across the country.

http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/117960