Swedish authorities confirm release of military observer in Slavyansk

Swedish authorities have confirmed a release of the 57-year-old Major Tommas Juhansson from captivity in the East-Ukrainian city of Slavyansk.
Major Juhansson arrived in the area of Slavyansk as a member of an international team of observers, which included nationals of another four European countries, apart from him.

They were arrested by the self-defense forces of the Donbass coalfields area on Friday on the suspicion that they had been engaged in a spying activity on behalf of the Ukraine’s central government.

The self-defense forces of Donbass are fighting for a referendum destined to determine the future status of the area and for Ukraine’s transformation into a federation - something the Kiev authorities, the U.S. and the EU oppose vehemently.
A Swedish television channel said the country’s foreign minister, Carl Bildt, had spoken to Juhansson over the phone, calling it later one of the best telephone conversation he had had recently.

He thanked everyone who had assisted Juhansson’s release.
Swedish Defense Ministry confirmed the TV report but refrained from any commentaries on the officer’s whereabouts.