"Four armed 'DPR' members delayed the SMM for 40 minutes near a checkpoint at the entrance to the Trudovskyi settlement. The SMM informed the JCCC," according to its regular update based on information received as of 19:30 local time on June 13, 2017.
"Three armed 'DPR' members delayed the SMM for 32 minutes at a checkpoint on highway H-15 near the Kargil plant in 'DPR'-controlled Kreminets (16km south-west of Donetsk) and placed a stop sign in front of the SMM vehicles. The SMM informed the JCCC," the report said.
Read alsoOSCE envoy Sajdik visits occupied Donbas, meets Catholic communities"Three armed 'DPR' members stopped the SMM and pulled a spike trip chain in front of the SMM vehicles at the abovementioned checkpoint on highway H-15 near the Kargil plant when the SMM tried to pass the checkpoint in the direction of 'DPR'-controlled Oleksandrivka (20km south-west of Donetsk). The SMM explained its mandate and three minutes later was allowed to proceed," it said.
"Later in the day, two armed 'DPR' members again stopped the SMM and pulled a spike trip chain in front of the SMM vehicles at the abovementioned checkpoint on highway H-15 near the Kargil plant. One of the armed men then made a phone call and subsequently removed the chain, so the SMM was able to proceed within five minutes of being stopped," the SMM said.
The OSCE SMM regularly reports that monitoring and freedom of movement in occupied areas of Donbas are restricted by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines, unexploded ordnance and other impediments – which vary from day to day.
The SMM's mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine and restriction of the SMM's freedom of movement constitutes a violation.
