You're reading: Ukrainian police release nine ex-military arrested during arson near Inter TV station’s building

Ukrainian law enforcement officers have arrested nine former military servicemen at a place where the building of the National Information Systems, the company that produces programs for the Inter television channel, was torched. All nine were released after questioning.

“Six people, and another three later, were brought to the Shevchenkivsky police department for identification and explanations. It was found that the men were former members of the Ukrainian armed forces. Three of them refused to provide written explanations, the others said they were nearby and did not do anything illegal. After the questioning all of them were released,” a Kyiv police spokesperson said.

The police were responding to a telephone call at 16.30 a day earlier that some people in Schusev Street were burning tires near the television studio’s office building, the police said. Shevchenko district police patrols and investigators travelled to the scene.

According to eyewitnesses, about 20 people came up to the building, set up tents and brought tires. The tires were then torched, windows smashed and, apparently, a smoke bomb thrown into the office. A fire broke out. “The men walked into the building, set the reception desk on fire and went to the second floor. When the police arrived, the law violators began running away (…). Forty-five employees were evacuated from the building,” the spokesperson said.

Police recovered from the scene four posters, six tires, soot washed off from the building walls, five tourist tents, two radios, a backpack and other significant evidence.

Seven people sought medical assistance, according to health care authorities.

Investigators are probing the incident under Article 296 part four (unruly behavior) and Article 194 part two (intentional property damage or destruction) of the Ukrainian Criminal Code.