MOSCOW, March 20 (RAPSI) – Law enforcement authorities in Crimea have released Sergei Gaiduk, the commander of the Ukrainian navy, along with seven others detained Wednesday in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, the Kryminform news agency reported Thursday.
On Wednesday, the agency reported that Gaiduk had been detained for questioning by the regional prosecutor’s office following the seizure of Ukrainian naval headquarters by Crimean self-defense forces.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu petitioned regional authorities Wednesday night to release Gaiduk, and to allow him to leave for Ukraine unhindered.
A treaty providing for the Black Sea peninsula’s reunification with Russia was signed by Crimean leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in the Kremlin.
Residents of Crimea overwhelmingly voted in a referendum Sunday to join Russia after 60 years as part of Ukraine.
