Occupiers block ICRC reps in Manhush, who arrived there to help in evacuation of Mariupol residents
The Russian occupiers have blocked the representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) who have arrived in the village of Manhush, Mariupol district, Donetsk region, who have arrived in the town they have occupied.
"The ICRC representatives were stopped by the police in the village of Mangush, 20 kilometers west of Mariupol. The ICRC team was stopped on Monday during humanitarian activities aimed at organizing the safe passage of civilians," the ICRC press service said in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, the ICRC has been in direct contact with colleagues "and is communicating with representatives of all parties to clarify the situation and allow them to resume their humanitarian work."
Earlier on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereschuk said that the occupiers were not letting anyone into besieged Mariupol, in particular, representatives of the ICRC could not get there since Friday.
"As of this hour, the International Committee of the Red Cross is in, I do not know whether to call it captivity, hostage, they are being held in Manhush by the occupying power. They have been trying to reach Mariupol since April 1. This is the price of the agreements between Russia and the International Red Cross," Vereschuk said during the telethon on Monday afternoon.