Ukraine Kiev protest clashes kill policeman after MPs vote

BBC ^ | 8-30-2015 | BBC

[tcrlaf]

One policeman has been killed and about 100 more injured outside Ukraine's parliament, after MPs gave initial backing to reforms for more autonomy in the rebel-held east, officials say.

National guardsmen were pelted with fire crackers and petrol bombs and an explosion was heard in the crowd.

MPs had just voted in a rowdy session to approve more powers in areas of Donetsk and Luhansk under control of pro-Russian rebels.

(Snip)

A missile was hurled from the crowd of demonstrators, many of whom were carrying banners supporting ultra-nationalist Svoboda (Freedom) party.

A loud explosion rang out and an AFP reporter described seeing several people covered in blood.

One policeman's leg was torn off below the knee, Interfax Ukraine reported.

snip

Journalists who had been covering the developments were also among the wounded.

Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said some 30 people had been detained and more would follow. He bitterly criticised Svoboda leader Oleh Tyahnybok, writing on Facebook that several explosive devices had been thrown by people wearing Svoboda T-shirts.

[grania]

Could Ukraine end up partitioned, with pieces going to adjoining ethnically compatible neighbors?

[Trumpinator]

From your link: The planned new law has proven extremely controversial, with opponents suggesting constitutional changes are being pushed through undemocratically at Western insistence...

I find that very ironic.

[Cossak]

Poroshenko has fired Right Sector's boss Nalivaichenko, former head of Ukrainian Secret Police. And forced out of Ukraine their main financier oligarch Kolomoysky. Now they are orphans but they are institutionalized and have weapon in their hands.