18/02/2014 16:45
Protesters, police clash in Ukraine in march on parliament
Anti-government protesters in the capital of Ukraine marched toward parliament Tuesday, occupying the ruling party’s headquarters and clashing with police as a tug of war played out inside the legislature on amending the former Soviet nation’s constitution, RIA Novosti reported.
Thousands of demonstrators moved toward the parliament building armed with shields, masks and bats and throwing stones at police, who responded with rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas.
Protesters occupied the offices of the country’s ruling Party of Regions in the center of Kiev after reportedly throwing a smoke bomb inside.
Police said protesters were using the same tactic to attempt to seize other buildings near the parliament.
“The people inside are literally jumping out of the windows,” police said in a statement.
The Interior Ministry said eight officers had been injured in the clashes.
Inside parliament, opposition deputies blocked the speaker’s rostrum in protest at the refusal to register a draft bill introducing reform to the constitution.
The bill was eventually registered, the opposition Svoboda party said on Twitter later Tuesday.
Opposition forces are seeking the restoration of the 2004 constitution, which they say would ensure a way out of the political crisis gripping the country.