Ukraine opposition blocks work in parliament, vows continued protests

KIEV, Ukraine -- Opposition lawmakers in Ukraine’s parliament blocked access to the speaker’s dais Wednesday and vowed to obstruct the legislative body’s work every day “until its dissolution” as protests against the government continued in the streets.

Arseny Yatsenyuk, interim leader of a key faction in parliament, told a news conference that the opposition demands remain the same: “the resignation of President [Viktor Yanukovich], the resignation of the government, the dissolution of parliament and urgent elections.”

He also demanded the release of nine protesters arrested in the course of a bloody weekend confrontation between demonstrators and riot police in front of the capital’s presidential administration building. The clash left more than 300 people injured, including 140 police officers.

A Kiev district court has ordered the nine protesters held for two months pending investigation.

“We know that Yanukovich and his Party of Regions are preparing new provocations against the opposition,” Yatsenyuk said. “We know of their plans to sweep protesters from Maidan [Kiev’s downtown Independence Square] once again,” as they did early Saturday.

Opposition leader Yuri Lutsenko was quoted by the Kiev-based news organization UNIAN as vowing to continue blocking work in parliament until the current body is dissolved. Protesters have also seized Kiev City Hall and two other nearby municipal buildings, which Prosecutor General Viktor Pshonka demanded Wednesday be returned to the city authorities.

Ukraine has been racked by protests since late last month when Yanukovich broke off talks with the European Union over an association agreement that would have tied his nation more closely both economically and politically to Western Europe.

Many Ukrainians, especially younger people and those from the western regions, favor such change. But Russia, a key supplier of the country’s energy resources, has pressed Yanukovich to continue his country’s traditional ties with Moscow.

Analysts said the standoff could linger in the days ahead.

“The confrontation between the opposition and Yanukovich passed its first hot phase and entered a period of trench war where both sides are waiting for each other to make mistakes,” Vadim Karasyov, director of the Institute of Global Strategies, a Kiev-based think tank, said in an interview with The Times. “This period can last indefinitely long.

“But if the opposition leave the streets,” he added, “Yanukovich will celebrate a victory which will allow him to last in his office till next presidential poll in 2015.”

On Wednesday, an opposition online publication called StrikeUA carried video footage of riot police beating and kicking unarmed young people Sunday in front of the presidential administration building near Independence Square. Several detainees appear to be injured as they lay on the ground moaning and trying to cover their heads with their arms.

One policeman is shown using a club to hit a young man who is sitting on the asphalt leaning against a lamppost. “You wanted Europe,” says the officer. “Here it comes!”

More than 300,000 protesters took to Independence Square on Sunday after police had cleared the area the day before of a smaller crowd. On Wednesday, the protesters were camped out in the square, keeping warm in army tents and around fires set in large barrels. Hot food and tea were being served around the clock. Kiev residents came to offer warm blankets and clothes.

The square was barricaded on all sides by cars, trucks and construction material. Several entrances were protected by army veterans supporting the protests. At one entrance a large red Soviet flag with its hammer and sickle symbol was spread on the ground for people to use as a doormat.

Roman Avramenko, 32, a tall and powerfully built businessman from the northern industrial city of Chernihiv, joined the protests Wednesday.

“I came here to spend a few days in the square and help in any way I can,” Avramenko said in an interview with The Times. “Ukraine is gradually waking up to the realization that we need to be here and make history so that Ukraine can still join Europe without Yanukovich.”

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sergei.loiko@latimes.com