Zelensky demands immediate release of detained Melitopol mayor

GBnews24desk//

Ukrainian President Vlodomyr Zelensky, in a video address Saturday, called for the immediate release of Ivan Fedorov, mayor of the Melitopol city who was arrested by armed men on Friday.

Zelensky said: “Yesterday the occupiers abducted the mayor of Melitopol, the public demands his release.”

Our demand is simple, his immediate release.”

Shortly after Fedorov’s detention, the Russian-backed Luhansk regional prosecutor claimed that the mayor had committed terrorism offenses and was under investigation.

Melitopol is currently under control of the Russian military, CNN reports.

Zelensky said he had spoken to the leaders of France, Germany, Israel about securing mayor Fedorov’s release.

Earlier on Saturday, hundreds of people protested outside Melitopol’s city hall, demanding his release, according to Ukrainian state TV video.