Pro-federalization protesters picketed mayor's office in Ukraine's Kharkov
23 April 2014, 16:55 -- Two meetings (opponents and supporters of the current Kiev authorities) were held near Kharkov City Council. Supporters of the country's federalization picketed mayor's office, as reported by local media. They carried a large banner 'No elections without a referendum'. Protesters demanded that the Ukrainian authorities grant Russian the status of an official language. Meanwhile, supporters of Kiev authorities gathered near the Eternal Flame, they chanted slogans in support of the 'united and indivisible Ukraine'.
The rallies were held without clashes. Police enhanced security before the meetings, increased law enforcement officers who had to prevent clashes, as well as to prevent the possibility of seizure town hall. The deputies of the Kharkov City council session accepted an appeal to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to adopt a law on a local referendum.
'Active phase' of military operation resumed in eastern Ukraine
The active phase of military operation has been resumed in the eastern regions of Ukraine, parliament-appointed First Deputy Prime Minister Vitaliy Yarema told reporters. According to him, it was done 'in accordance with the order' Verkhovna Rada appointed acting president and speaker of Parliament Alexander Turchynov. Yarema added that law enforcement bodies are 'working towards the elimination of all armed groups' in Kramatorsk, Slavyansk and other cities in Donetsk and Lugansk regions.
He also claimed that law enforcement officers did not undertake any actions last night.
Turchynov April 22 demanded that the country's security agencies should resume a military operation in the east.
'I demand that security services carry out effective counter-terrorist activities aimed at defending Ukrainian citizens living in the country's east from terrorists,' Turchynov stated.
One of two men who were killed near urban settlement Raigorodok in east Ukraine's Donetsk region was identified as lawmaker of Gorlovka city council from Batkivshchyna parliamentary party Vladimir Rybak, adviser to the Ukrainian Interior Minister Stanislav Rechinsky and First Deputy Head of Donetsk-Krovoy Rog Republic of Ukrainian Interior Ministry Sergei Redka said. The text of their statement was posted on the website of the republican interior ministry.
Rybak went missing on April 17. On April 19 two men were found dead with traces of violent death in Slavyansk district, the ministry stated. A criminal case was opened for illegal deprivation of freedom or kidnapping of a person.
Ukrainian Prosecutor's General Office has accused Interior Ministry and Security Service employees of nonfeasance. The statement published on the official website of the state institution noted that 'unsanctioned seizing of administration buildings', including that of the Interior Ministry and Security Service of Ukraine, 'point to the nonfeasance of security officers'. The authority says about the failure to calm tensions in Donetsk, Lugansk, Odessa and Kharkov regions, where the contingent of security services exceeds the number of protesters.
Earlier, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified about the suspension of the 'active phase' of the special raid in eastern regions. The diplomats stated this commenting 'on steps of the Ukrainian side towards implementing the Geneva accords'.
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