12 people detained in Odesa over riot plans, weapons and explosives found

Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation reports this.

“Dozens of criminals and possible collaborators who could destabilize the situation in the region under the leadership of the Russian special services were assessed. As a result, DBR officers (The State Bureau of Investigation ed.) identified and detained 12 people who are reasonably suspected of plotting sabotage, protests and riots in the Odesa region,” the statement said.

The State Bureau of Investigation said that those detained were planning to incite riots in Odesa. 

police also found an arsenal of weapons and explosives: a large number of submachine guns, machine guns, grenades, pistols and ammunition were found in the private home of one of the detainees. In addition, there were flags bearing communist symbols, medals, anti-Ukrainian books and campaign brochures.

“According to the occupiers’ plans, they were to implement their criminal plan for the anniversary of the tragic events – May 2,” the statement said.

The Bureau lodged criminal proceedings under Part 1 of Art. 111 of the Criminal code of Ukraine (treason). The detainees were handed over to the SBU (Security Service of Ukraine ed.) for further investigation.

On May 2, 2014, riots in Odesa between pro-Ukrainian citizens, including football fans, on the one hand, and pro-Russian collaborators – on the other took place. Pro-Ukrainian activists Andriy Biryukov and Igor Ivanov were shot dead during a street confrontation. Dozens of pro-Russian collaborators were later killed in a fire at the Trade Union Building.