UKRAINE-CRISIS/STATUS-CLASHES-YATSENIUK Ukraine PM demands life sentence for man suspected of throwing grenade that killed guardsman
Record ID:
140581
UKRAINE-CRISIS/STATUS-CLASHES-YATSENIUK Ukraine PM demands life sentence for man suspected of throwing grenade that killed guardsman
- Title: UKRAINE-CRISIS/STATUS-CLASHES-YATSENIUK Ukraine PM demands life sentence for man suspected of throwing grenade that killed guardsman
- Date: 31st August 2015
- Summary: KIEV, UKRAINE (AUGUST 31, 2015) (REUTERS) UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT BUILDING SIGN READING (Ukrainian): "GOVERNMENT BUILDING" UKRAINIAN PRIME MINISTER, ARSENY YATSENIUK, WALKING TO PODIUM CAMERA OPERATOR (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRIME MINISTER, ARSENY YATSENIUK, SAYING: "Cynicism of this crime also lies in the fact that while the Russian Federation and its bandits are trying to destroy Ukrainian state and are failing to do so at the front in the east, these so-called pro-Ukrainian political forces are trying to open a second front in the centre of the country." UKRAINIAN COAT OF ARMS (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRIME MINISTER, ARSENY YATSENIUK, SAYING: "We are united in our democratic coalition, we are united with the president and with the government and with all responsible citizens of Ukraine to prevent victory on both fronts. Victory will be at our front only - at the front of preservation of Ukrainian sovereignty, at the front of the fight against Russian terrorism and at the front of change in the country." CAMERA OPERATOR (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRIME MINISTER, ARSENY YATSENIUK, SAYING: "As a citizen of the country, I demand according to Article 348 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, a life sentence for the man who threw grenade which resulted in the death of a National Guard conscript." YATSENIUK LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 15th September 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Ukraine
- Country: Ukraine
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA52I0T6LQ25Y37GJHMM537E0K3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A Ukrainian national guardsman was killed and nearly 90 others wounded by grenades hurled from a crowd of nationalist protesters on Monday (August 31) as they were guarding parliament where lawmakers backed giving more autonomy to rebel-held areas.
The violence, which the government blamed on the main nationalist party, and division in the pro-Western camp in parliament suggested President Petro Poroshenko will struggle to push through key parts of a faltering peace agreement reached in February for eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk demanded a life sentence for a protester who was arrested and is accused of throwing a grenade at police that killed the 24-year-old national guardsman.
"As a citizen of the country, I demand according to Article 348 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, a life sentence for the man who threw grenade which resulted in the death of a National Guard conscript," Yatseniuk said at a news conference in the capital Kiev.
Clashes between demonstrators and police came after 265 deputies voted in favour of the bill, 39 more than that required to pass, at a boisterous session with many deputies shouting "Shame!" and rhythmically beating parliamentary benches.
Opponents of the bill, which supports a law giving certain self-management rights to separatists controlling parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, said it played into Russia's hands and would lead ultimately to Ukraine losing control in the east.
Elements in the crowd, many of whom carried banners from the nationalist Svoboda (Freedom) party, pelted black-helmeted national guardsmen with fire-crackers and smoke-bombs after the vote. Then, police said, grenades were thrown.
Yatseniuk blamed Svoboda, the main nationalist party which has its main power-bases in western Ukraine.
"Cynicism of this crime also lies in the fact that while the Russian Federation and its bandits are trying to destroy Ukrainian state and are failing to do so at the front in the east, these so-called pro-Ukrainian political forces are trying to open a second front in the centre of the country," he said.
"We are united in our democratic coalition, we are united with the president and with the government and with all responsible citizens of Ukraine to prevent victory on both fronts. Victory will be at our front only - at the front of preservation of Ukrainian sovereignty, at the front of the fight against Russian terrorism and at the front of change in the country," added Yatseniuk.
Though the bill passed on its first reading, many coalition allies, including former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, spoke against it. And, despite his firm words in support of it, it is far from certain that Poroshenko will be able to whip up the necessary 300 votes for it to get through a second and final reading later this year.
Approval of legislation for special status for parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which are largely controlled by Russian-backed separatists, is a central element of the Minsk deal.
Though a ceasefire is under pressure from sporadic shelling and shooting which government troops and rebels blame on each other, Western governments see the deal as holding out the best possible prospects for peace and are urging Ukraine to abide by the agreement.
More than 6,500 people have been killed in the east since pro-Russian separatists rebelled against the Kiev government after Russia annexed Crimea in response to the ousting of a Moscow-backed president by street protests and his replacement by a pro-Western leadership. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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