Avakov and Pashynskyi say GPO is responsible for separatists to be set free in Odesa

Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has informed the provocateurs, apprehended yesterday in Odesa, had to be convoyed to Kyiv last night but it didn't happen because of the decision of Deputy Prosecutor General Mykola Banchuk.

He has told that in a phone conversation with Censor.net editor-in-chief Yuriy Butusov. The journalist wrote about this on his Facebook page.

“The apprehended provocateurs had to be convoyed yesterday at night to Kyiv. However the Deputy Prosecutor General Mr. Banchuk has forbidden convoying them from Odesa. As a result, the Odesa police office has been blocked. Police was ordered not to set the provocateurs free and prepare to repel the assault. However the prosecutor imposed a judgement to free the apprehended people”, Avakov informed.

According to the minister, the "arbitrariness" of the prosecutor's office should be carefully investigated as the release of provocateurs may lead to the new outbreaks of violence in Odesa.

“The actions of MIA: all the top officials of local police office are signed out, the criminal cases are opened. The new Chief of Odesa police office Ivan Katerynchuk is on his way to Odesa”, Avakov mentioned.

Later Yuriy Butusov managed to get the acting Head of the presidential Administration Serhiy Pashynskyi on the phone. He has told the authorities don't understand under which law the Deputy Prosecutor General decided to release the pro-Russian separatists.

"We will immediately put in Prosecutor General Makhnitsyi for Banchuk's dismissal, and the Head of the Security Service Nalyvaichenko for audit of Banchuk's actions on suspicion of serious crimes against the state and high treason", Pashinsky said.