Donetsk, Mar 14 – DAN. DPR residents on Tuesday paid final respects to Vladimir Makovich, former deputy speaker of the Republic’s parliament, who died on 12 March after a long illness.
Dozens of residents attended the civil funeral at the Donetsk Local History Museum, including People’s Council chairman Denis Pushilin, parliamentarians and Makovich’s friends, relatives and colleagues.
“Vladimir Makovich was a sympathetic person. When our people made their choice, he decided that he had to stay with them. It was a courageous and responsible move on his part to publicly read out the DPR state sovereignty declaration. He felt that he had fulfilled his duty. We’ll always remember that historic moment and that man,” DPR parliament deputy German Kadyrov told Donetsk News Agency.
Many mourners brought flowers. Makovich will be buried in Scheglovskoye cemetery in northern Donetsk.
“We’re paying last respects to Vladimir Makovich today. In a difficult time, he was not afraid to speak on behalf of all our citizens and say the words which many Donbass residents wished to hear,” parliamentarian Petr Shimanovskiy said. “He was a good person, a reliable and loyal colleague and a true DPR patriot.”
Vladimir Makovich is one of the founders of Donetsk People’s Republic. In spring 2014, he took part in protests against the government overthrow in Kiev. On 7 April 2014, he read out the DPR state sovereignty declaration in the session hall of the Donetsk regional administration building, proclaiming DPR establishment. He joined DPR interim government and later became deputy parliament speaker. *jk
