Kyiv, May 1 (Interfax-Ukraine) - National Union Svoboda says it has blocked the holding of the third European congress of the Carpathian Ruthenians in Uzhgorod on Friday.
According to Svoboda’s press service, the Carpathian Ruthenians planned to hold their congress in Zakarpattia Regional Puppet Theater on May 1.
“Representatives of Svoboda blocked the puppet theater entrances and the tribune to prevent the so-called congress, anti-Ukrainian tendencies and adoption of pseudo-declarations of independence. The representatives of Svoboda blocked a great number of separatists and communists, who supported the Ruthenians. Only 31 delegates managed to register,” the press service stated.
As reported, the second European congress of the Carpathian Ruthenians was held in Mukacheve on October 26, 2008, at which a decision on setting up a Ruthenian state was taken. A criminal case on separatism was opened against the leader of the Ruthenian national movement, Dmytro Sydor.
The charges against Sydor include appeals for changes to be made to Ukrainian territory and the state border as defined by the national constitution. He has since been released on his own recognizance.
