10/12/2013 09:55
Ukraine opposition office raided as President Viktor Yanukovych backs talks
Protesters in Ukraine remained defiant and continued their mass demonstration against President Viktor Yanukovych over the country's U-turn away from the European Union Monday, the same day masked men raided the headquarters of the opposition party Monday, according to opposition party leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk, CNN reported.
"Members of the special ops destroyed the entire server room," he said. "Equipment was destroyed, dragged out, across the entire premise of the Batkivshina Political Party headquarters." Police denied any involvement in the raid.
The raid happened after Yanukovych 's announcement on his website that he would back a call for talks involving the opposition to work out a compromise.
With pressure growing, thousands remained on the streets of Kiev, some facing off with lines of Interior Ministry troops Monday evening near the presidential administration building. Minor scuffles broke out, but demonstrators were holding their ground as security forces began removing barricades.
Opposition leader and former heavyweight champion Vitaly Klitschko approached riot police and urged them to stay calm and "not break the law" should they be ordered to remove protesters.
"None of us has either guns nor other objects; this is a peaceful protest," he said.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden entered the fray Monday with a phone call to Yanukovych in which he "expressed his deep concern about the situation in Ukraine and the growing potential for violence," according to a statement.
Biden said he urged Yanukovych to hold talks with the opposition.