Ukraine: Grenades found in Odesa on anniversary of deadly clash
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 2 May 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Ukraine: Grenades found in Odesa on anniversary of deadly clash, 2 May 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5769009ce.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 02, 2016
By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service
Police in Ukraine's Black Sea port city of Odesa say they found three hand grenades on May 2 ahead of a commemoration ceremony for the 48 people who were killed in a 2014 clash between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian demonstrators.
Odesa city police said the grenades were found in an underpass near Kulikovo field and the Trade Unions building, where 48 people were killed in the May 2, 2014, clashes.
Police say they received an anonymous phone call earlier on May 2 in which the caller warned that the area had been mined.
The Odesa regional police chief, Giorgi Lortkipanidze, said about 3,000 police officers were at the site checking the area after the grenades were discovered.
Later, more than 500 people bearing flowers and banners with pictures of the victims massed outside metal detectors set up around the Odesa square where the clashes took place in 2014.
They eventually released black balloons and white doves after it became clear the police would not let them approach the Trade Unions building.
Twenty residents of Odesa are currently on trial for their alleged involvement in the 2014 clash, which led to the deaths of six people on the streets and an inferno at the Trade Union where 42 Kremlin supporters died.
With reporting by UNIAN
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
