NBC News' Richard Engel, Crew Detained Briefly in Crimea

Richard Engel and his NBC News crew were briefly detained in Crimea. Engel documented the ordeal on Twitter.

Detained by pro russian militia in crimea. Questioned for an hour or so. Not allowed to move or phone. Then released. #ukraine

— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) March 13, 2014

We took the train to avoid militia checkpoints. Theyre now also at train stations in #crimea. #ukraine

— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) March 13, 2014

Militiaman wore russian flag armbands. Big. Tough looking. Not brandishing guns #crimea. #ukraine.

— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) March 13, 2014

militiamen first told us we’d be deported “back to #ukraine“. Eventually we talked them out of it. they let us go. #crimea.

— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) March 13, 2014

From the train. Before we were stopped. #crimea. #ukraine http://t.co/zYG68C7Iuv

— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) March 13, 2014

Thanks lindsey. Detained at dzhankoy train station. Didn’t even get off train. They were waiting on platform. @lindseyhilsum

— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) March 13, 2014

The militiamen stopped the entire train for an hour. None of the other passengers dared to complain. #crimea

— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) March 13, 2014

The press have been under attack in Crimea, an autonomous republic of Ukraine, since Ukraine deposed Russia-backed president Viktor Yanukovych on February 22. Pro-Russians took over Crimea and have a referendum on March 16. Residents will decide if they want to stay with Ukraine or join the Russian Federation. 

Gunmen set up checkpoints along roads, mainly at the Ukraine and Crimea border. On March 10, Radio Free Europe reported there were at least five journalists and activists missing in Crimea. They also said there were many unconfirmed reports of detained journalists at checkpoints. The next day, three Norwegian journalists were held at a checkpoint and gunmen confiscated their equipment and protective gear.

Interfax-Ukraine reported Ukrainian television stations were disrupted in Crimea, but Russian stations worked perfectly fine. Two Russian journalists resigned in Moscow over censorship issues and Russia Today anchor Liz Wahl resigned on live television.