Right Sector Radicals Holding Greek Former Officials in Odessa Hotel

A spokesman with Ukraine’s Right Sector group admitted on Wednesday that its members had knowingly blocked a hotel in Odesa where Greek delegates were staying to prevent them from attending a meeting with local minorities.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — A group of Greek former officials are being held by Ukrainian extremist organization Right Sector in a hotel in Odessa, local media reported Wednesday. 

"It was a group of Greek radical leftists who wanted to hold a convention… We blocked the hotel to prevent them from going to this event, and we will do it again wherever they may come from," Right Sector spokesman Artem Skoropadsky said.

Skoropadsky said he had no information on the current whereabouts of Greek nationals, but added "they certainly missed the meeting."

The Greek nationals include former Deputy Defense Minister Kostas Isychos and former Deputy Finance Minister Nadia Valavani, as well as former Chairman of the Committee on Foreign and Military Affairs Vassilis Hadjilambrou, according to the Iskra newspaper.

The perpetrators are said to be wearing masks and holding Ukrainian flags.

The Greek delegation has arrived in Odessa for work meetings with national minorities living in the Black Sea region.

The Right Sector paramilitary group played a major role in violent clashes with police that led to the February 2014 government overthrow in Ukraine.