Kiev Nationalist Trial Sparks Violent Riots
World | January 11, 2014, Saturday // 10:21| views
Archive photo from December protests in Kiev. Photo by EPA/BGNES
Protesters in the Ukrainian capital Kiev clashed with riot police overnight, leaving several people injured.
The crowd had gathered in front of a courthouse in Kiev, where a verdict was being given against members of a far right organization, the BBC reports.
The group was sentenced to 6 years in prison for plotting to blow up a statue of Lenin in 2011.
Following the verdict, an angered crowd began throwing rocks at the vehicles with policemen. The police responded with force, making a number of arrests.
It was revealed that one of those injured in the clashes was former Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko, who is now a leading opposition figure.
Ukraine has been marked by anti-government protests and occasional violence since November, when President Viktor Yanukovych backed out of a deal with the European Union, choosing instead to seek closer ties with Russia.
Far right groups have played an active role in the pro-EU demonstrations.
Back