Odessa police free 67 detained in deadly clashes

ODESSA, Ukraine (AP) — Police in Odessa have freed some detained activists after hundreds of pro-Russian demonstrators stormed police headquarters in the Ukrainian port city.

The Interior Ministry said in a statement that 67 people who were detained after deadly clashes were released Sunday. It was not immediately clear whether others were still being held.

More than 40 people died in the clashes on Friday, some from gunshot wounds, but most in a fire that tore through a trade union building.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk visited Odessa to try to defuse mounting tensions and said police are being investigated for their failure to maintain order and hinted strongly that he sees Moscow’s hand in the unrest.

Matt Stein is a season-credentialed media member covering the Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, also assisting with coverage of USF Athletics. He attended the University of Tampa and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Sport Management.