MOSCOW, March 20 (RAPSI) – Law enforcement authorities released Ukrainian Navy Commander Sergei Gaiduk along with seven other people that had been detained in Crimea, Crimea’s Crym-inform agency reports Thursday.

On Wednesday it was reported that Gaiduk had been detained for questioning by the prosecutor’s office. Acting president of Ukraine Aleksandr Turchinov demanded Gaiduk’s release, threatening to employ “adequate measures” otherwise.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu petitioned the Crimean authorities on Wednesday night to release Gaiduk, and not to prevent him from leaving for Ukraine.

Crimea's leadership has refused to recognize the legitimacy of the new government in Ukraine that came to power following the ouster of Viktor Yanukovich last month.

Residents of Crimea overwhelmingly voted in a referendum Sunday to seek reunification with Russia after 60 years as part of Ukraine. A treaty providing for the Black Sea peninsula’s accession was signed by Crimean leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in the Kremlin.