Press Release, 14.10.2019

About 4,000 residents of Elista, the capital of Kalmykia, came to the rally against the appointment of Dmitry Trapeznikov (who used to be Chair of the Council of Ministers of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic in East Ukraine) acting the head of the administration of Elista.  The Kalmyk branch of Yabloko was one of the organisers of the rally.

Batyr Boromangnaev, Chairman of the Kalmyk branch of Yabloko, said that a rally adopted a resolution demanding that the head of the Republic of Kalmykia and deputies of the regional parliament (People’s Khural) dismiss Trapeznikov and amend legislative acts on the procedure for electing heads of municipalities, as well as return direct elections to the head of the capital of Kalmykia.

The leader of the regional branch noted that protests have been held since September, in the form of residents gatherings, prayers, and pickets. Batyr Boromangnaev emphasised that the protest of the residents of the republic is unlimited, and the actions would go on.

On 26 September, Dmitry Trapeznikov from the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, was appointed acting head of the Elista administration. Protesters believe that Trapeznikov has nothing to do with Kalmykia, and his activities in Donbass are perceived extremely negatively by many people.

Batyr Boromangnaev, Chairman of the Kalmyk branch of Yabloko, gave an interview where he spoke in detail about the reasons of the protest against the appointment of Trapeznikov, and also commented on the political situation in Kalmykia.