DONETSK, May 25. /ITAR-TASS/. Donetsk’s military command has taken under protection the residence of Ukrainian business tycoon Rinat Akhmetov until the end of negotiations between the government of the newly formed Donetsk People’s Republic and Akhmetov’s representatives, Prime Minister of the Donetsk People’s Republic Alexander Borodai told people who gathered near the businessperson’s residence on Sunday.

“Negotiations are underway. We hope to receive an answer very soon, maybe, tomorrow,” he said, adding that no one would be let into the residence until the talks were over.

According to earlier reports, more than 5,000 people took part in a rally against presidential elections in Ukraine that are being held on Sunday. The protester moved to Akhmetov’s residence to picket it. The oligarch however is outside Ukraine, according to the government of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

On May 19, Akhmetov, president of the SKM company, called on employees of his enterprises to go on a strike in protest against the Donetsk People’s Republic. On May 23, the Donetsk Republic’s prosecutor office opened a criminal case against Akhmetov on charges of tax evasion and attempts of toppling the authorities.