Events Monday, April 21 Ukraine

Events Monday, April 21 Ukraine

... Excerpt

Monday, April 21

 

A draft law on amnesty of the protesters in south-eastern Ukraine has been registered in the country’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada.

According to ITAR-TASS, the bill will see those, who “didn’t commit grievous crimes” since February 22 striped from criminal and administrative liability.

The authors of the bill believe that its adoption will “create a legal framework for the voluntary and peaceful solution to the existing domestic conflicts.”

Acting Ukrainian President Aleksandr Turchinov has demanded that special services “resume productive anti-terrorist operations that will protect Ukrainians living in the east of the country,” his press service reported.

According to the statement, the renewed focus was provoked by the discovery of two “mutilated bodies,” including one belonging to nationalist local deputy Vladimir Rybak. The dead politician was found near Slavyansk, which has been in the grip of pro-Russian activists.

He accused the purported murderers of “crossing the line by torturing and killing Ukrainian patriots,” and said the illegal activities were carried out with “full support” from Russia.

 

In Kiev OSCE Chief Monitor in Ukraine Ertugrul Apakan has asked for the release of the reportedly abducted head of the Kramatorsk police department, who went missing on Monday night

“Coercion against representatives of the state is unacceptable, and I urge for the immediate release of Colonel Kolupai. These provocative actions run counter to the spirit of the recent Geneva Joint Statement to restore security on the ground, and can only worsen the existing tensions and contribute to further violence.”

Earlier the Ukrainian interior ministry reported that the policeman was taken hostage by self-proclaimed Donetsk Republic activists, who burst into the Kramatorsk station on Monday night, and demanded that Kolupai hand them over all police weapons.

 

The OSCE mission has met with parties on both sides of the stand-off when visiting Donetsk.

“We have had a useful and constructive meeting with representatives of the group occupying the Donetsk regional administration building; the Mayor of Donetsk; and Donetsk chief of police. They explained their positions,” said Mark Etherington, Deputy Chief Monitor.

“We also discussed the need for dialogue and the de-escalation of tensions, and the need to refrain from violence.”

Mission representatives have already visited Slovyansk and other eastern hotspots.

 

RT stringer Graham Phillips says he has personally found VICE journalist Simon Ostrovsky in Slavyansk.

Earlier, multiple Russian media reported that Ostrovsky had been arrested by pro-Russian militia, after traveling to film impromptu barricades on Monday night.

The ‘People's Mayor’ of Slavyansk, Vyacheslav Ponomarev has confirmed to RIA news agency that bodies of two men with signs of torture have been recovered, but said that their murder could be a “provocation”.

Ponomarev said that the two victims – who were found naked floating in the local river on Sunday – have not been identified. On Tuesday, acting President Aleksandr Turchinov said that one of the men was pro-Kiev local deputy Vladimir Rybak, who had been responsible for organizing public demonstrations, and disappeared last Thursday. Ponomarev did confirm that Rybak’s relatives are on their way to identify the body.

“We need to look into this. Let’s wait for the results of the identification and the forensic analysis,” said Ponomaryev.

 

Lugansk airport has suspended all regular flights due to a “tense socio-political situation” that has led to “planes flying below capacity”, according to an interview director Vasily Tatarinov gave to Ukraine’s CXID.info.

The airport – which has been a site for demonstrations by pro-Russian activists – continues to service charter flights.

 

Pro-federalization activists say that they are ready to vacate two floors and one of the halls of the Donetsk Regional State Administration so that its staff can resume work.

"Vital state functions, such as justice, perhaps, utilities and social services, the budget department - they will resume work," the head of the committee on media relations of the People's Republic of Donetsk Alexander Khryakov told Ria.

 

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović expressed concern about the work of journalists in eastern Ukraine.

“I remain deeply concerned about the ongoing negative pattern in relation to journalists’ safety in Ukraine,” Mijatović said. “I call on all those responsible to stop harassing and attacking journalists and let them do their job. Simon Ostrovsky should be released immediately.”

Simon Ostrovsky, a reporter for Vice News was sent to the Ukrainian city of Slovyansk to cover the pro-federalization protest when he was taken under the protection of the pro-federalization forces.

“Nobody abducted [him], nobody holds [him] hostage, he is now with us,” the "People's mayor" of Slavyansk, Vyacheslav Ponomarev said at a news conference after the mass media was quick to claim that Ostrovsky had been kidnapped. Ponomarev added that Ostrovsky was now “working, preparing materials,” adding that Ostrovsky holds Israeli and American passports.

A spokesperson for VICE said in a statement the publication is "aware" of the situation and currently in contact with the State Department.

"VICE News is aware of the situation and is in contact with the United States State Department and other appropriate government authorities to secure the safety and security of our friend and colleague, Simon Ostrovsky."

RT stringer Graham Phillips says via twitter that Ostrovsky will most likely be released in the morning because the “mayor tells me they are expecting an attack on the building, no one leaves.”