You're reading: Ukraine’s Security Service detains leader of so-called Donbass people’s militia

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has detained the leader of the so-called people's militia of Donbass, Mykhailo Chumachenko, in Donetsk, on suspicion of actions threatening Ukraine's territorial integrity.

According to the SBU spokesman, Chumachenko is suspected of plotting crimes described in Ukrainian Criminal Code’s Article 109 (actions aimed at violently changing or destroying the constitutional system or seizing power) and Article 110 (attempt on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and inviolability).

The security services confiscated the materials that prove the intentions of the suspect “to call the protesters to illegal actions, including force seizure of the building of regional state administration” during a mass rally in Donetsk.

A court has yet to decide whether Chumachenko should be taken into custody pending trial.