Ukrainian Security Service detains secretary of Communist Party district branch on suspicion of separatist activities
KYIV. Aug 1 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian Security Service has detained Serhiy Filindash, the first secretary of the Volnovakha district committee of the Ukrainian Communist Party, on suspicion of separatist activities.
"It has been determined that Filindash organized a rally and a roundtable conference in this district center [Volnovakha, the Donetsk region] in March this year, at which, contrary to the opinion of most of those present, publicly called for not recognizing central government bodies, the Donetsk region's separation from Ukraine, and its incorporation into Russia," the Security Service said in a statement on Friday.
Filindash has also been charged with playing a role in the organization of "a pseudo-referendum and the establishment of a cell of the terrorist organization Donetsk People's Republic in the Volnovakha district," the Security Service said.
Filindash also instigated members of district electoral commissions representing the Ukrainian Communist Party to disrupt the early presidential elections, it said.
In addition, Filindash commanded the demonstrative replacement of Ukrainian state flags with Russian ones in Volnovakha and circulated a so-called ultimatum to the Ukrainian government in early June, it said.
The investigation is continuing, it said.