Ukranian police start dismantling protest sites in central Kiev

It has been reported that Ukrainian police have begun dismantling protest camps in front of government buildings in Kiev.

An opposition party said the police had also raided their headquarters. The protesters had been given until Tuesday to leave. No clashes have been reported.

Opposition leaders urged supporters to defend Independence Square, the main protest site. The stand-off follows weeks of unrest after a U-turn on a free-trade deal with the EU.

The BBC’s Steve Rosenberg in Kiev says there are far more police in central Kiev than on Sunday, when hundreds of thousands of people came out onto the streets.

Police were dismantling at least two protest sites and forcing protesters out of two streets where, according to the Interior Ministry, they were blocking access to administrative buildings.

However, the ministry said no action was being taken on Independence Square itself.

09.12.2013
SOURCE: MEDIA