You're reading: SBU: Separatists group led by Apukhtin planned explosions in Kharkiv for May 9

 The Security Service of Ukraine has uncovered a group of extremists in Kharkiv region, which was preparing acts of sabotage for May holidays. According to the SBU's press center, the group planned to organize explosions during mass events on the occasion of the Victory Day on May 9.

 As reported, on April 30, two men, including a member of the South-East coordination council, Yuriy Apukhtin, have been detained on suspicion of organizing mass disturbances in Kharkiv.

Employees of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry’s main office in Kharkiv region detained Yuriy Apukhtin and Spartak Holovachov. Law enforcers established that the men coordinated their actions outside Ukraine and then organized mass disturbances and offenses in Kharkiv.

The detainees are suspects in committing a crime under Article 109 (actions aimed at the violent overthrow or change of the state regime or the take-over of state power) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The investigation continues.

On May 1, Kyiv District Court in Kharkiv ruled to put Apukhtin in custody for two months as a preventive measure with a possibility of bailing him out for more than Hr 90,000. Another anti-Maidan activist was put in detention for two month without bail.