KIEV, April 06. /ITAR-TASS/. Protesters have seized the building of the local department of Ukraine’s Security Service in the city of Lugansk, in Eastern Ukraine, the local television Channel 5 reported on Sunday.

According to eyewitnesses, both protesters and law enforcers were hurt when protesters were storming the building. Now the parties are negotiating the release of arrested activists.

About 1,000 people on Sunday took part in a picket in from of the building of Lugansk’s department of the Ukrainian Security Service urging to release the leader of the Lugansk Guards, Alexander Kharitonov. Protesters blocked traffic along Sovetskaya Street.

Also on Sunday, activists in Lugansk held a motor rally in support of a referendum on the federalization of Ukraine. About 30 cars waiving Russian and Ukrainian flags started from Yarmarochnaya Square to run through the streets of the city. The action was initiatved by public organizations Lugansk Guards, the People’s Liberation Movement, and Russian Unity.

On March 14, Ukrainian security officers detained leader of the Lugansk Guards Alexander Kharitonov, who had proclaimed himself as a “people’s governor” of the Lugansk region, on suspicion of attempting to topple the constitutional regime.