You're reading: Kyiv prosecutor’s office opens fifth criminal case on language law protests

The prosecutor's office in Kyiv has opened a criminal case on the events that occurred on June 5 during a rally at the intersection of Hrushevskoho and Sadova Streets around the buildings of the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

Interfax-Ukraine learned from the media liaisons department of the prosecutor’s office in Kyiv on Monday that the case had been “opened after the consideration of applications received from Ukraine’s interior troops Ukraine regarding the causing of bodily injuries to them during the fulfillment of their duties in maintaining public order.”

“The protesters tore off the helmets of servicemen, damaged their uniforms, removed special equipment and caused bodily injury to them,” the prosecutor’s office said.

The case was opened under Part 2, Article 345 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (threatening or using violence against law enforcement officers).

The prosecutor’s office of Kyiv earlier opened four criminal cases concerning incidents near the Ukrainian House on July 4.

As reported, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed the bill on the principles of the state language policy initiated by the Regions Party on July 3. The document significantly expands the sphere of use of Russian and languages of other national minorities in the regions where they are used by at least 10% of population.