Ukrainian Police Release Georgian Journalist

Imedi TV

Ukrainian authorities have allowed a Georgian journalist to enter the country after detaining him in Kyiv for several hours today, RFE/RL's Russian and Georgian services report.

Zurab Khvistani of the privately owned Imedi television station was detained by Ukrainian police at Kyiv's Borispil Airport. He had flown to Ukraine to cover the second round of Ukraine's presidential election on February 7.

Ukrainian customs officers placed him in a temporary detention center. Khvistani told journalists after he was released that the Georgian Embassy was involved in resolving the issue. No reason was given for his detention.

Khvistani was severely beaten last month in the eastern Ukrainian city Donetsk while covering the first round of the Ukrainian presidential election.