The Kyiv department of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry has opened several criminal proceedings into the recent events on Independence Square (Maidan) and detained one person on criminal charges.
“Criminal proceedings have been opened into these facts under Ukrainian Criminal Code Article 268 (illegal acquisition of a transport vehicle), Article 263 (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition, or explosives), and Article 296 (disorderly conduct),” the Interior Ministry department quoted its chief Oleksandr Tereschuk as saying.
Five people were initially taken to district police stations. Two of them were charged with administrative offences and released, and one was detained on criminal charges, it said.
Law enforcement also seized several cars with weapons.
Municipal utility services attempted to clear the road on Khreschatyk Street on Independence Square on Thursday. Activists staying in a tent city set fire to a tent and automobile tires in protest, after which members of the Kyiv-1 special task force and police were sent to the scene to ensure public order.
Protesters started pelting the police with pavement blocks and Molotov cocktails and seized several municipal vehicles.
