Ukrainian rebels free four hostages
- 10 years ago
Rebels release four international observers captured over a month ago in Ukraine.
Eight of them were detained in May as they were monitoring an agreement aimed at calming the conflict.
The four were handed over to colleagues at a hotel early on Friday.
The prime minister of the rebels' Donetsk People's Republic says there are no pre-conditions for the release.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) ALEXANDER BORODAI, PRIME MINISTER OF THE SELF-STYLED DONETSK PEOPLE REPUBLIC, STANDING SURROUNDED BY REBELS AND SAYING:
"It was a long road and this release is the fruit of goodwill and it was unconditional."
The remaining four are still in captivity. The pro-Russian separatists have said they hope to secure their release soon.
Eight of them were detained in May as they were monitoring an agreement aimed at calming the conflict.
The four were handed over to colleagues at a hotel early on Friday.
The prime minister of the rebels' Donetsk People's Republic says there are no pre-conditions for the release.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) ALEXANDER BORODAI, PRIME MINISTER OF THE SELF-STYLED DONETSK PEOPLE REPUBLIC, STANDING SURROUNDED BY REBELS AND SAYING:
"It was a long road and this release is the fruit of goodwill and it was unconditional."
The remaining four are still in captivity. The pro-Russian separatists have said they hope to secure their release soon.