The DPR Information Ministry has hosted a joint press conference of Ombudsperson Darya Morozova and Spokesperson for the MGB [the Ministry of State Security] Mikhail Popov, during which details of the provocation against individual citizens of the Republic, which had been attempted by Ukrainian special services, have been revealed, a correspondent of the Official Website of the Donetsk People’s Republic reported today, on March 2.

“On 28 January 2017, the DPR Ministry of State Security prevented the commission of a terrorist act in the territory of our country, prepared by the special services of Ukraine. It was aimed to destroy military and civil infrastructure, cause civilian casualties, and destabilize the social and political situation.

It has been established that the SBU representatives had come in contact with a DPR People’s Militia military, E.V. Klypa, and, threatening him with violence toward his family members living in Mariupol, demanded his consent to cooperate. The military reported this to the state security authorities and thus the situation was under control. Due to the fact that Klypa had refused to cooperate, the special services of Ukraine undertook an attempt to eliminate him.

In July 2019, as a result of operational and investigative activities, there was detained A.N. Otvyortkin, born in 1975, a native of Mariupol, who had been tasked by Ukrainian special services to eliminate the above-mentioned military of the DPR People’s Militia,” Mikhail Popov said.

The Suspect, Alexander Otvyortkin, who has been accused of spying for the SBU, was present at the press conference and noted that the pressure on his relatives had been exerted by the special services of Ukraine, therefore, he had to address the Ombudsperson for help.

“To date, I have received from citizen A.N. Otvyortkin a request for the protection of the rights and freedoms of his family and friends, living in the Ukraine-temporarily controlled territory, from representatives of the Ukrainian law enforcement agencies. Such actions by the special services of Ukraine are illegal and unacceptable. With a view to protect the family and friends of A.N. Ovyortkin, I have sent relevant letters to international organizations,” Daria Morozova, the Commissioner for Human Rights in the DPR, said.