Ukraine accuses Russia of “kidnapping” a senior official of the Zaporizhia plant

Follow live the latest news about the war in Ukraine

Oct. 11 () –

Russian forces have “kidnapped” and “apparently tortured” a senior official at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, according to the company responsible for managing Ukraine, Energoatom, which has denounced that this manager is “in an unknown place “.

The victim has been identified as Valeri Martiniuk, general director of Human Resources, and would have been assaulted on Monday. According to Energoatom, the Russians are seeking as much information as possible about the plant’s personnel, with the aim of “forcing” them to work for Russia’s Rosatom.

At the beginning of the month, the Ukrainian authorities had already denounced the arrest of the director of the plant, Igor Murashov, by the Russian troops, who days later proceeded to release him.

Russian forces have controlled the plant since the beginning of March, but the annexation of the Zaporizhia region decreed by Russian President Vladimir Putin has also led to claiming the alleged property right over the facilities.

Energoatom has urged foreign governments and, in particular, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to take “all possible measures” to achieve the “immediate” release of Martiniuk. Likewise, it has taken advantage of this case to claim “full control” of the plant for Ukraine and the establishment of a “security zone” free of attacks.