KIEV, July 25 (RIA Novosti) – The Ukrainian Security Service confirmed it had detained Russia Today contributor Graham Phillips in Donetsk and following an interrogation announced a decision to expel the stringer out of the country with a subsequent denial of entry for three years, a representative of the SBU told RIA Novosti Friday.
“Russian journalist and UK citizen Graham Phillips born in 1979 was detained by the Ukrainian Security Service in the city of Donetsk. The journalist has been interrogated and the Ukrainian Security Service announced a decision to expel him denying entry to the country for three years to ensure national safety, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the SBU representative said.
Four journalists, including Graham Phillips, went missing in the combat zone in eastern Ukraine early Wednesday. The Russian Foreign Ministry called for an immediate release of the journalists.
The UK Foreign Office earlier said it was in close contact with the Ukrainian authorities and was rendering all necessary support to Phillips’ family.
