On 21 April 2014, long-term observer of CN OPORA, journalist of the Tochka OPORY was beaten by unknown persons while taking video of Luhansk separatists rallying next to the SBU administrative building.

Maksym Danylchenko said: "I came to the meeting to see it myself, to see which campaign materials are disseminated there, and whether any presidential candidates are present, as long as many of them have visited protesters during the SBU building for the last few weeks. When I started taking video, some unknown persons approached me and demanded that I stopped taking video because they forbid me. I don't think that they belong to Luhansk self-defense. I said that I am a representative of Ukrainian mass media, but they said that only Russian mass media representatives are allowed to take video. Then, they grabbed my hands, punched me in the face few times and took me away from the place. Fortunately, my injuries are not serious, and I feel good. I have reported to the police on the attack and obstruction to my professional activities. It should be mentioned that there were no law-enforcement officers on those rallying near the SBU building, whom I could have called for help.."

Coordinator of OPORA's civic observation in Luhansk oblast Oleksii Kormiletskyi has commented on the situation: "We consider this fact as a pressure upon Ukrainian mass media representatives in Luhansk. The Article 26 of the Law of Ukraine on Printed Mass Media in Ukraine, and Article 171 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine were violated. It should be mentioned that limitation of journalists' rights became a "standard" in Luhansk. These are today's realities in Luhansk, against which we should struggle."

For comment, please contact:
Oleksii Kormiletskyi
Observation Coordinator of CN OPORA in Luhansk oblast

Civic monitoring conducted by OPORA - is a type of network activity, aimed at impartial assessment of the preparation and conduct of elections, as well as preventing electoral violations through comprehensive civic action.

Since March, OPORA conducts a wide observation campaign during snap Presidential election, interim Parliamentary elections (district #83), and special local elections. The organization cooperates with 175 long-term observers, who are watching the course of election campaign in all Ukrainian regions. On the election day on May 25, 3,000 activists will join them to conduct the parallel vote tabulation, based on statistical sample.