KIEV, (MILLAT/APP/AFP): Ukrainian authorities
have arrested several dozen activists who have been blocking trade from eastern areas held by pro-Russian separatists, officials and spokesmen for the activist group said.
The blockade, which began late January and chiefly disrupted shipments of coal, has been enforced by nationalist Ukrainians and opposition lawmakers, who say the trade is being used to fund the separatists.
“During an operation… in Toretsk, Shtshebryiovka and Kudryumovka, members of the SBU discovered a group of armed men,” the Ukrainian army told
Interfax-Ukraine news agency. SBU is the acronym of the Ukrainian security
services.
“They refused to surrender their weapons, which led to the arrest of 43 people.”
The activists confirmed the arrest on their Facebook page and announced they would stage a protest rally in central Kiev.
“The police today dispersed the blockade… they severely beat and arrested people taking part in the blockade of trade with the occupier.”
Interfax-Ukraine said a “large number of weapons and petrol bombs” were also seized.