Clashes,
tires on fire outside Ukrainian parliament in Kiev
RT,
21
May, 2015
Clashes
are reported in central Kiev where crowds of protesters are rallying
against the economic crisis and the soaring cost of private loans.
Local media say several people have tried to break into the Ukrainian
parliament.
Four
policemen and two protesters were reportedly injured in the clashes,
as protesters blocked the exits of the parliament building.
The
so-called "Financial Maidan" crowd is demanding that the
parliament approves the law on restructuring private loans in foreign
currency, which would convert people's debts into national currency
at pre-crisis levels.
The
protesters have set fire to car tires and attempted to break into the
parliament building. Riot police have so far been able to hold them
back.
RT
BREAKING: Clashes, tires on fire outside Ukrainian parliament in Kiev (LIVE FEED) http://on.rt.com/8tdcih
Life
News however reports several activists did manage to get into the
building, spreading banners with their demands and shouting in
approval of those deputies that voted for the restructuring bill.
Earlier,
the parliament failed to approve the second reading of a law that
would allow borrowers to pay their loans back in hryvnas, at a rate
of about 5 hryvnas to the dollar. The current exchange rate is about
20 hryvnas to the dollar, as Ukraine faces a deep financial crisis.
The bill will now go through one more reading in the parliament.
Several
MPs have tried to calm the crowd down. Borislav Bereza from the Right
Sector ultranationalist party told the crowds "the situation
[with the law] was manipulated."
The
"Financial Maidan" movement has been active for several
months in Kiev, with demonstrations near the parliament and the
National Bank. Their demands include refunds for those with deposits
in banks hit worst by the crisis.
They
also demand resignation of the country's Prime Minister Arseny
Yatsenyuk and Finance Minister Natalya Yaresko.
At
least 11 "Financial Maidan" activists were into their
fourth day of a hunger strike next to the parliament building
Thursday. One of them has been taken to hospital.
Among
the slogans the protesters are shouting is the infamous "Out
with the gang!" heard numerous times during the 2013-14 Maidan
uprising against President Yanukovich and his government, which
eventually brought the current officials to power.
At
the end of the day, several dozen people were still near the
parliament building, preparing to stay there for the night.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.