An American journalist for VICE News detained by separatists in eastern Ukraine has been released and is in good health, the outlet confirmed on its website Thursday.
Simon Ostrovsky and four other journalists, including TIME’s Berlin Correspondent Simon Shuster, were detained Monday evening by Pro-Russia separatist militia, in an incident that highlighted the increasing threat to journalists working in the region. The other four were released after about an hour, but New York-based Ostrovsky was held because he was “suspected of bad activities,” said Stella Khorosheva, a spokeswoman for the militia in the separatist-held town of Slavyansk.
The journalists—including Ostrovsky, Shuster, a Ukrainian photographer, a British photojournalist, and a Russian photographer—were traveling in a car in Slavyansk when they were stopped at a separatist checkpoint.
The full statement from VICE News:
VICE News 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.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Why Trump’s Message Worked on Latino Men
- What Trump’s Win Could Mean for Housing
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- Sleep Doctors Share the 1 Tip That’s Changed Their Lives
- Column: Let’s Bring Back Romance
- What It’s Like to Have Long COVID As a Kid
- FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Write to Noah Rayman at noah.rayman@time.com