The May 2 Riots and the "Odessa People's Republic": The Case Has Been Referred to Court

Prosecutors have filed an indictment with the court against three representatives of pro-Russian organizations who are accused of high treason and violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity. According to the investigation, with Russia’s support, they attempted to proclaim the so-called “Odesa People’s Republic” in Odesa and were involved in organizing the riots on May 2, 2014.

This was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General.

Among the accused are the head of a pro-Russian civic organization, the secretary of a diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and the leader of the “Anti-Maidan” movement, which is linked to Kulikov Field.

According to the investigation, in late February 2014, they organized a mass rally in Odesa, during which participants called on the Russian leadership to send troops into Ukraine, allegedly to protect the Russian-speaking population.

On March 3, law enforcement officials allege, the defendants organized the arrival of pro-Russian citizens at the Odesa Regional Council building. Threatening to seize the building, they attempted to force the deputies to proclaim the so-called “Odesa People’s Republic.” However, the deputies refused to support this initiative.

After that, according to the investigation, the defendants received approximately $40,000 from Russian representatives. In March and April, they set up a camp on Kulikovo Field for the “Orthodox Druzhina” and“Odesa Druzhina” groups, where they promoted the ideas of the “Russian World” and denied the legitimacy of the Ukrainian government.

Subsequently, members of these groups engaged in violent clashes with representatives of the nationalist-patriotic “EuroMaidan” movement. According to the investigation, after reaching agreements with the then-police leadership not to interfere with their activities, the pro-Russian groups proceeded to organize mass riots in Odesa on May 2, 2014.

The former deputy head of the regional department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who was responsible for public safety, had previously been convicted in another criminal proceeding for this crime.

The actions of the three defendants were classified as high treason and an encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine, committed by a group of individuals acting in concert. According to the prosecutor’s office, they are in hiding in Russia and in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. The investigation into them was conducted under a special in absentia procedure, that is, in the absence of the suspects.

Андрій Колісніченко