Coup averted in Ukraine, authorities report
The Ukrainian authorities reported on Monday that it averted a coup attempt in Ukraine.
The Sluzhba Bezpeky Ukrayiny (SBU) intelligence service and prosecutors had said that an anonymous group had attempted to mount “provocations’’ in Kiev on Sunday, when the country marks Constitution Day.
An anonymous report said that the coup planned to occupy parliament during a demonstration and set up a “provisional government.’’
The SBU intelligence investigation found that four men who were detained are being investigated over weapons and ammunition seized during the cause of the actions.
The suspects could face up to 10 years minimum in prison if found guilty.
The investigation is being led by the authorities in Ivano-Frankovsk, in the west of Ukraine.
A security zone has emerged around the government quarter in Kiev, where access and the right to demonstrate have been restricted.
The authorities regularly report that informants and supporters of Russia have been arrested.
