The investigative bureau of the National Police in Donetsk region has opened a criminal investigation according to Part 2 of Article 345 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (threatening or using force against law-enforcement officials) following an incident at a checkpoint near Slovyansk, head of the National Police’s main department in Donetsk region Viacheslav Abroskin said on his Facebook page.
“Individuals threatened to cut up the families of police officers located at the checkpoint, insulted and demeaned law-enforcement officers, calling them ‘Donetsk separatists.’ Officers said they ‘encountered’ a Verkhovna Rada deputy during the melee,” Abroskin wrote on his Facebook page.
“I will not allow anyone to demean police officers of Donetsk region who have endured three years of war already and who under bombardment help people in frontline cities. Many of them have lost their families and homes, but have remained faithful to their oath given to Ukrainian citizens. We will continue to serve at checkpoints because it is here where we seize a large amount of illegal weapons, thus saving lives of our citizens in peaceful cities of our countries,” Abroskin’s message says.
As earlier reported, around 19:00 on March 14 a column of 13 cars carrying more than 35 people, including MP Volodymyr Parasyuk, approached a checkpoint on the outskirts of Slovyansk. Members of the convoy refused to be searched and reportedly provoked a conflict.
“As a result of the ensuing melee, these individuals showed disrespect to the law and prevented police from fulfilling their duty to protect public safety. The MP present began inflicting blows on members of the police, attempting to seize weapons from them. The police took measures to restore order and stabilize the situation,” the police said.
A while later the convoy of cars was stopped near Kramatorsk by firing into the air. MP Parasyuk, “who should have been in the hospital at the time,” was among them.
