KIEV, July 8 (RAPSI) – The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has filed a claim with the Kiev District Court seeking to ban the Communist Party of Ukraine, RIA Novosti reported Tuesday.

The party came under increasing fire amid opposition protests which turned violent and led to political turmoil in Ukraine, impeachment of President Viktor Yanukovich.

In January local governments of several Ukrainian regions claimed the Communist party to be banned along with the ruling Party of Regions headed by Yanukovich. The Ministry of Justice denounced the decision and said that the party can be banned only by a federal court ruling.

In late February Communist party’s offices in Kiev were raided by opposition activists from Maidan who occupied the premises and refused to leave. Criminal investigation was launched into the raid.

Afterwards Ukrainian parliament speaker Alexander Turchinov filed a request with the Ministry of Justice seeking a probe into the Communist party’s activity.