#Ukraine #Sloviansk: #Journalist @mike_giglio from @BuzzFeed he is free https://t.co/Xy1D5RaEzA #Donetsk #Journalism pic.twitter.com/FaGDFuUAes
— Muschelschloss ☕ (@Muschelschloss) May 2, 2014
Via Kyiv Post:
Three teams of journalists, including the crews of SkyNews, BuzzFeed and CBS were released in the afternoon of May 2 after spending several hours in captivity.
According to BuzzFeed reporter Mike Giglio, who was taken captive with his Ukrainian translator Olena Glazunova, the reporters were held captive in the occupied central police office of Sloviansk for three hours before they were released. The insurgents took them captive as the journalists were on their way to Sloviansk.
We were taken from a pro-Russia checkpoint en route to Slovyansk, blindfolded and held at occupied police building. The ordeal took 3 hours.
— Mike Giglio (@mike_giglio) May 2, 2014
All unharmed, aside from one journo punched twice. Got everything back except flak jacket + helmet: "something for us to remember you by."
— Mike Giglio (@mike_giglio) May 2, 2014
Once they decided to release us — and a translator overheard talk of taking us hostage — the pro-Russia militiamen politely served us tea.
— Mike Giglio (@mike_giglio) May 2, 2014
Blindfolded on drive to where pro-Russia militia held us, but heard them cock guns as we approached their own checkpoints–internal mistrust
— Mike Giglio (@mike_giglio) May 2, 2014
To prove that I am an American citizen I was asked to name the U.S. capital and then to pronounce the word "garden." I passed this test.
— Mike Giglio (@mike_giglio) May 2, 2014
Our detention today seemed to be motivated by fear and panic from the pro-Russia militiamen as much as anything else. They were very spooked
— Mike Giglio (@mike_giglio) May 2, 2014
Asked captors if I could get my flak + helmet back. They actually suggested I call them when the war's over and "we don't need them anymore"
— Mike Giglio (@mike_giglio) May 2, 2014