Protesters, Police Clash in Ukraine in March on Parliament
KYIV, February 18 (RIA Novosti) – Anti-government protesters in the capital of Ukraine marched toward parliament Tuesday, clashing with police as a tug of war played out inside the legislature on amending the former Soviet nation’s constitution.
Protesters threw stones at police, who responded with rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas, news agencies reported. Thousands of demonstrators moved toward the parliament building armed with shields, masks and bats, and two trucks were set on fire.
Inside parliament, opposition deputies blocked the speaker’s rostrum in protest at the refusal to register a draft bill introducing reform to the constitution.
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.
The ruling Party of Regions has said it is willing to review the law but has refused to automatically return to a previous version.
Large-scale street protests erupted in the capital, Kyiv, and other Ukrainian cities in November after President Viktor Yanukovych backed away from deals to deepen political and economic cooperation with the EU and instead opted for closer ties with Russia.
The protests have sporadically descended into violence on both sides.
Yanukovych has said he is ready to appoint a coalition government that includes members of the opposition, the speaker of parliament said last week.