EU demands release of Kherson mayor and condemns preparations for illegal ‘referendum’ on annexation to Russia

The European Union has condemned the kidnapping on 29 June of the democratically elected mayor of Kherson, Igor Kolykhayev, by invading Russian troops, and called for his immediate and unconditional release.

“Abducting and kidnapping democratically elected Ukrainian officials, journalists, civil society activists and ordinary citizens in Ukrainian territories temporarily under illegal Russian military control or in areas held by Russia-backed armed formations is completely unacceptable,” says a press release by the European External Action Service. “We demand an immediate end to these illegal intimidation tactics and the unconditional release of all detained and abducted Ukrainian civilians.”

The EU also strongly condemned the announced preparations for an illegal fake ‘referendum’ in parts of the Kherson region on joining Russia. “Such attempts represent a blatant violation of international law, the Ukrainian constitution and Ukrainian sovereignty by the Kremlin and its proxies. The result of such an orchestrated illegitimate vote will not be recognised by the international community,” says EEAS.

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Press release