Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

kiev

'Dozens' wounded as Ukraine police break up rally

The protestors gathered in Kiev to call for the president’s ouster after he failed on an EU deal.

DOZENS OF PROTESTERS were wounded in Ukraine’s capital early today when police brutally dispersed demonstrators calling for President Viktor Yanukovych’s ouster after he failed to salvage an EU deal, a lawmaker and a witness said.

imageA protester receives medical help in ambulance after violence at the rally. Pic: AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov

“The Maidan has been brutally mopped up,” opposition lawmaker Andriy Shevchenko said on Twitter, referring to Kiev’s central Independence Square, the site of the rally and epicentre of the country’s 2004 Orange Revolution.

Dozens wounded, dozens arrested. Ukraine has not seen anything like this before.

A rally of some 10,000 protesters led by top opposition leaders like world boxing champion Vitali Klitschko called last night for Yanukovych to step down after he refused to sign a key political and free trade deal with the European Union at a summit in Vilnius.

Around 1,000 protesters remained on the square overnight and riot police moved in around 4am local time (2am GMT), hitting the protesters with batons and pushing them from the square, according to a witness.

imageTwo women at the protest. Pic: AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov

“We danced, jumped and cried out peaceful slogans,” said one demonstrator, Maria Chalykh.

“The started beating everyone indiscriminately. They beat everyone, the elderly, girls, even a child. His entire face was covered in blood,” the 17-year-old student told AFP. “Everyone shouted, cried, some people fainted”

Chalykh said that the Berkut riot police dragged people, kicked them and swore at them. She herself lost consciousness and came to in an ambulance, she said.

The organisers of the rally set up a first aid station outside a church in the city centre.

imageA rally in support of the President early yesterday. Pic: AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky

Hundreds of riot police were deployed around the square in the run-up to Friday’s rally, heightening tensions on day six of mass rallies against Yanukovych’s decision to scrap the EU deal under Russian pressure.

Opposition leaders had warned their supporters the authorities might resort to force and provocations to disperse the demonstration.

imageUkrainian riot police officers detain an activist during the rally. Pic: AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov

The US ambassador in Ukraine has since condemned what he said was the use of violence against peaceful protesters after riot police brutally dispersed an opposition protest in central Kiev, reportedly wounding several dozen people.

“Still working to understand what happened, but obviously condemn the violence against peaceful demonstrators,” Geoffrey Pyatt said on Twitter. “Will have more to say.”

- © AFP, 2013

Photographs

Read: Ukraine: Jailed opposition leader goes on hunger strike as protests continue>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
24
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds