MOSCOW, December 4 (RAPSI) - A Kiev court has ordered the pre-trial detention for two months of nine individuals suspected of organizing riots staged near the presidential administration in Ukraine’s capital city, the Kiev prosecutor’s office told Ukrainian news agency "UNIAN".
The detentions were ordered in accordance with the “riots” article of Ukrainian Criminal Code, the agency reports.
The suspects were arrested in connection with attempts to storm the presidential administration and seize control of two office buildings on Sunday. Kiev police opened 11 criminal cases.
The Ukrainian government announced on November 21 that it was halting plans to sign long-anticipated trade and association deals with the EU, because of the damage it would do to trade with Russia. It said it would seek closer cooperation with Russia and the Moscow-led Customs Union, which includes Belarus and Kazakhstan. The announcement has led to mass pro-European rallies in Kiev.
Mass rallies challenging government policies were held in Kiev on Sunday. 35 activists were detained. In those cases, the police drew up administrative protocols and then released the protesters. According to medics, 35 people have been injured. Twelve police officers were also injured in the clashes with protesters.
On Saturday, special police forces dispersed a rally in the center of Kiev.