27/01/2014

Ukraine justice minister in state of emergency warning

                          Anti-government protesters in Independence Square, Kiev (27 Jan 2014)
                           The violence is taking place away from the longstanding protest camp in Kiev's Independence Square

                          Protesters in the Justice Ministry, Kiev, Ukraine (27 Jan 2014)


                           Ukraine Justice Minister Olena Lukash
                        The minister has been closely involved in talks between the government and the protest movement.

Ukraine's justice minister has warned anti-government protesters occupying her ministry she will call for a state of emergency if they do not leave. Olena Lukash told local media she would ask the National Security and Defence Council to introduce the measures. The ministry became the latest government building to be occupied on Sunday, with protesters setting up bags of snow as barricades outside.

Unrest and occupations of municipal buildings are spreading across Ukraine. The minister has been closely involved in talks between the government and the protest movement Buildings have come under attack even in eastern areas, which have traditionally had closer ties with Russia and where President Viktor Yanukovych has enjoyed strong support.



The crisis was sparked by the president's decision not to sign a deal with the European Union, and has escalated with the deaths of four activists in recent days.

Correspondents say protesters entered the justice ministry building in the capital without resistance.

"The seizure of the Ministry of Justice is a symbolic act of the people of the uprising. Now, these authorities are stripped of justice," one protester told reporters.

One of the organisers of the occupation, who gave his name as Oleg, told the Associated Press news agency: "We are not going to do any hooliganism, or have anyone hurt. We are peaceful people, we are for justice."

But Ms Lukash told Inter TV channel: "If the protesters do not leave the justice ministry building... I will ask the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine to impose the state of emergency."

The minister is an ally of President Yanukovych and involved in the ongoing negotiations between the government and protest leaders.

She said she would be "forced to turn to the Ukrainian president with a request to stop the negotiations unless the justice ministry building is vacated without delay and the negotiators are given a chance to find a peaceful solution to the conflict".

Last week, the parliament of the Crimean Autonomous Republic - seen as a staunch supporter of Mr Yanukovych - also urged the president to declare a state of emergency.

The BBC's David Stern says it is not clear such a measure would involve, but could entail the army being deployed.

The government has previously insisted it would not resort to the army, a measure our correspondent says would likely further antagonise the protesters and worsen the violence.

The parliament is due to meet for an extraordinary session on Tuesday, but the speaker has previously said a state of emergency will not be under discussion.

Spreading east

Street protests began in Kiev in November, after President Yanukovych announced he would not sign the long-awaited EU free trade agreement.


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