Head of Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has been released, IAEA chief says

Reuters

Published Oct 03, 2022 10:43AM ET

Updated Oct 03, 2022 11:23AM ET

VIENNA (Reuters) -The head of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine has been released, U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said on Monday after a detention that Ukraine blamed on Russia and called an act of terror.

Ukraine said a Russian patrol detained Ihor Murashov on Friday as he travelled from Europe's largest nuclear power plant to the town of Enerhodar, where many of the plant's staff live. Ukrainian staff continue to operate the plant in conditions the International Atomic Energy Agency says put safety at risk.

The IAEA said on Saturday it had been in contact with "the relevant authorities" without mentioning Russia by name and said it had been informed that Murashov was in "temporary detention".

"I welcome the release of Ihor Murashov, Director General of #Ukraine's #Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant; I have received confirmation that Mr Murashov has returned to his family safely," Grossi said on Twitter (NYSE:TWTR) on Monday.