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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Donetsk republic official refutes reports of former parliament speaker's arrest

On September 4, Purgin was dismissed from the post of Chairman of the DPR People’s Council by the decision of the overwhelming majority of its members

Andrey Purgin and Denis Pushilin (archive) ITAR-TASS/Konstantin Sazonchik

Andrey Purgin and Denis Pushilin (archive)

© ITAR-TASS/Konstantin Sazonchik

MOSCOW, September 7. /TASS/. Member of the People’s Council (parliament) of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Andrey Purgin is in good health, information about his arrest is a lie, acting speaker of the DPR People’s Council Denis Pushilin said on Monday.

"This is part of the Ukrainian stove-piping, As far as I know, Andrey [Purgin] is feeling well, he is not arrested," Donetsk News Agency quotes him as saying.

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DPR parliament sends its speaker to resignation, Pushilin appointed acting speaker

On September 4, Purgin was dismissed from the post of Chairman of the DPR People’s Council by the decision of the overwhelming majority of its members. In accordance with the regulations, Deputy Chairman of the People’s Council Denis Pushilin became acting speaker of the People’s Council.

The reason for Purgin’s resignation was his involvement in the appointment of head of the Council’s administrative department Alexey Alexandrov. The council’s members described it as a destructive move. Alexandrov’s appointment is now investigated by law enforcement bodies.

The DPR parliament continues working in the ordinary and usual course.

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Eastern Ukraine

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