OSCE mission threatened at gunpoint in eastern Ukraine
The observers of the OSCE SMM reported that they were threatened by two armed supporters of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) near Lukove, 72 kilometers south of Donetsk according to their July 29th report.
OSCE SMM members were stopped by two armed representatives of the DPR who blocked the road with a jeep and pointed weapons in their direction. They ordered SMM observers to leave this area, the report explained. The OSCE SMM representatives followed the order.
The report also found that another group of observers was blocked by another jeep that nearly hit the OSCE vehicle. The first jeep approached the SMM convoy of vehicles and blocked it from behind. Three armed representatives of the so-called DPR jumped out of the second jeep, and forced the driver to open the door in a very aggressive manner, threatening him with weapons. After that, one of the men took pictures of the drivers and SMM vehicles. The OSCE SMM members were forced to go to the Prymorske checkpoint, 76 kilometers south of Donetsk and 5 kilometers south of Lukove.