Mariupol sees 2 rallies in support of "Donetsk People's Republic" near Akhmetov-owned plants
DONETSK. May 22 (Interfax) - Two rallies in support of the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" (DPR) were staged in the city of Mariupol in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region on Wednesday.
The rallies were held outside of JSC Ilyich Iron and Steel Works and Azovstal Iron and Steel Works - both enterprises are owned by Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov, who insists he backs only a united Ukraine.
"Some 100 people joined the actions in support of the "Donetsk People's Republic at the Azovstal plant and the Ilyich combine," DPR spokesperson Anna Shershneva told Interfax.
According to Shershneva, the demonstrators were holding flags of the "Donetsk People's Republic", while local militiamen were distributing pro-DPR pamphlets.
Billionaire Akhmetov called on employees of his enterprises in Donetsk to stage a "peaceful warning protest" at their workplaces from noon on May 20 against the policies pursued by the leadership of the "Donetsk People's Republic".
