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Mass arrests of opposition activists reported in south Ukraine's Odessa — local media

On Saturday, Odessa will mark the first anniversary of the May 2 tragedy when dozens of people were killed in clashes of pro-federalization and nationalist activists

© Mikhail Palinchak/Ukrainian president's press service/TASS

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KIEV, April 29. /TASS/. More than 10 opposition activists have been detained in Odessa on Wednesday by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU). Among them are the mother of the leader of the Odessa "Anti-Maidan" group Anton Davidchenko, leader of the People’s Rada of Bessarabia Vera Shevchenko and opposition journalist Artyom Buzila, 1NEWS writes.

The arrests have sparked a massive public outcry in the social networks. "The authorities are so afraid of Odessa residents, so afraid of assuming responsibility for the May 2 events that it is trying to silence as many people as it can," Editor-in-Chief of the Timer Internet portal Yury Tkachev writes on his Facebook page. "A total of 50 people have been arrested this month in Odessa alone." Tkachev has urged Odessa residents not to cede ground and join a memorial rally on May 2.

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Wave of political terror rises in Ukraine — Russian diplomat

Meanwhile, the so-called United Headquarters of the Odessa Patriotic Forces comprising such organizations as the Right Sector and the Self-Defense of the Maidan planned to hold its own commemorative events on May 2. Coordinator of the Self-Defense of Odessa Vitaly Kozhukhar and spokeswoman for the Right Sector in Odessa Varvara Chernoivanenko told reporters that they had already obtained permission from the authorities to hold a rally in memory of the Ukrainian patriots who died on May 2 upholding the Maidan ideals.

On Saturday, Odessa will mark the first anniversary of the May 2 tragedy when dozens of people were killed in clashes of pro-federalization and nationalist activists.

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