The chief of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has asked for the release of the director-general of Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power facility, claiming that his arrest endangers safety and security.

The plant’s state-owned corporation stated on Saturday that a Russian patrol apprehended Ihor Murashov on Friday, and the International Atomic Energy Agency said Russia verified the move.

“IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed the hope that Mr Murashov will return to his family safely and promptly and will be able to resume his important functions at the plant,” the agency tweeted late on Saturday.

The IAEA has been in contact with relevant authorities seeking clarifications on his temporary detention, which it said had a “very significant impact” on him and nuclear safety and security standards.

Grossi is set to undertake discussions next week in Moscow and Kyiv on the establishment of a protective zone surrounding the Zaporizhzhia facility, according to the watchdog.