UN Special Envoy ‘Seriously Threatened’ in Crimea

A United Nations special envoy cut his trip to Ukraine short Wednesday after being trapped in a cafe by militants, British television station ITV reports.

United Nations representative Robert Serry was briefly held in a coffee shop while protesters chanted “Putin” outside. An ITV reporter, James Mates, was with the Dutch diplomat in the coffee shop and live-tweeted the incident:

United Nations Deputy Secretary Jan Eliasson condemned the actions, noting that although Serry was not kidnapped—as early reports suggested—he was “seriously threatened.” Serry was able to leave the area and reach the airport safely. He is returning to Kiev on Wednesday.

[ITV]