17/01/2019 (Agence Europe) – The spokeswoman for the European External Action Service on Thursday, 17 January urged the immediate and unconditional release of the 24 Ukrainian sailors captured in the Sea of Azov on 25 November 2018 (see EUROPE 12156), while the Russian Municipal Court of Lefortovo (Moscow) extended the detention of these sailors on 15 January until the end of April. “We expect Russia to immediately and unconditionally release the 24 captured Ukrainian sailors, to respect their right to legal representation and unhindered access by consular authorities, and to ensure that the injured crewmen receive appropriate medical treatment,” the spokesperson said in a statement. The EU delegation in Moscow and 15 EU diplomatic missions were denied the right to observe the proceedings before the Lefortovo court. (CG)