A cameraman of the Austrian Radio and Television, who is a Ukrainian citizen, has been detained in Ukraine for five days now, without being given any reasons, the ORF announced. The police stopped him during a road check while he was traveling on behalf of the ORF correspondent in Ukraine to take photos in the Ternopil region. A military representative then handed him over to the authorities in Ternopil, the ORF website reported, BTA reported.
"We demand from the Ukrainian authorities the immediate release of the ORF cameraman and an explanation of why he was detained. He is 53 years old, and in 2022 he was a volunteer in the war and was wounded defending Ukraine“, the ORF editorial board announced. "Ukraine wants to join the EU and is therefore obliged to comply with European standards regarding personal security and media freedom", the ORF emphasizes.
In response to an inquiry from the Austrian news agency APA, the Austrian Foreign Ministry reported that the embassy in Kiev took action immediately after the arrest and asked the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to clarify the circumstances. They are also in contact with the operator's lawyer and the ORF correspondent, the Austrian Radio and Television website writes.
"Austria insists on respecting the rule of law. Since this is a Ukrainian citizen, the embassy's options for support are very limited", the Foreign Ministry said, the ORF adds.