44.
The “Pro-Federalism” leaders were informed that “Pro-Unity” supporters were heading
towards the tent camp, and between 6.00 – 6.30 p.m., they decided to take refuge in the
nearby Trade Union Building.
45.
At 7.30 p.m., when the “Pro-Unity” supporters reached Kulikovo Pole square, they
burned all the “Pro-Federalism” tents. The “Pro-Federalism” activists, who had hidden
in the Trade Union Building, and the “Pro-Unity” activists, then reportedly started
throwing Molotov cocktails at each other. Gunshots could reportedly be heard coming
from both sides. At around 8.00 p.m., the “Pro-Unity” activists entered the Trade Union
Building where the “Pro-Federalism” supporters had sought refuge.
46.
During the evening a fire broke out in the Trade Union Building. At 7.43 p.m., the
HRMMU called the fire brigade, which has its base located 650 metres from the Trade
Union Building. Reportedly, the fire brigade only arrived 40 minutes after receiving the
first phone call about the fire. According to fire brigade officials, this was due to the fact
that the police did not create a safe and secure perimeter allowing the fire brigade to
easily access the Trade Union Building. The cause of the fire remains unclear at this
stage.
47.
As a result of the fire, officially 42 people died: 32 (including 6 females) were trapped
and unable to leave the building and 10 (including one female and one minor) died
jumping from windows.
48.
The HRMMU has received information from credible resources that some “Pro-Unity”
protesters were beating up “Pro-Federalism” supporters as they were trying to escape the
Trade Union Building, while others were trying to help them.
49.
247 other people were brought from the scene requiring medical assistance: 27 people
with gunshot wounds, 31 with stab wounds, 26 with burns and intoxication caused by
combustible products and 163 with injuries by blunt objects. Of these, 99 people were
hospitalised, including 22 policemen, with 35 in serious condition. According to various
sources, all those who died were Ukrainian citizens. There are no more official reports
of people missing in relation to 2 May events. Seven of those injured remain in hospital.
The HRMMU received allegations that many who were treated in hospitals did not give
their real names and addresses. Moreover, some people who were heavily injured from
the violence did not go to hospital for fear of retaliation.
50.
During the evening, it was reported to the HRMMU that a bare minimum police force
was present at the Kulikovo Pole square. Even when the special riot police force arrived
at the scene, the officers did not intervene in the violence that took place on the
Kulikovo Pole square. The HRMMU was told by high ranking police officers that the
reason for this is that they did not receive any formal order to intervene.
Detentions
51.
The HRMMU has noted slight discrepancies regarding the number of people
arrested/detained/transferred during, and in the aftermath of, the 2 May violence. The
Regional Prosecution Office and the Regional Ministry of Interior present different
figures relating to these events. For example, figures for those arrested in the centre of
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