Clashes as police move to dismantle barricades

KIEV, BRUSSELS Ukrainian security forces dismantled barricades set up by protesters in Kiev, after which clashes erupted in the city. News agencies are reporting that the police began to break up the barricades and arrest protesters in the early hours of the morning Clashes as police move to dismantle barricades The protesters, on the other hand, threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the police, who responded with tear gas and stun grenades, according to Interfax, which added that several people had been detained. After that, the medical service of the Ukrainian protest movement said that one protester died "after being shot by a police sniper," AFP reported. This service added that another person was killed when he fell from the top of a colonnade at the entrance to a football stadium. AP is saying, quoting its reporter, that doctors declared two people dead from bullets, "near the barricades." The police action in Kiev came a day after a controversial new set of laws that limits the right to protest came into force. Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov yesterday warned that the government will have no choice but to use force if the "provocateurs" does not cease to encourage conflict. Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko said on Tuesday the government was "paying people to cause trouble in order to discredit the opposition and prepare the ground for a crackdown on protests." He urged people throughout Ukraine to come to Kiev and help overthrow President Viktor Yanukovych. Pro-EU demonstrators started their protests in November, due to the sudden decision of the government not to sign an agreement with the EU, and instead turn to Russia. A scene in Kiev on Wednesday (Beta/AP) Ashton concerned over reported deaths EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton issued a statement on Wednesday, saying that she "strongly condemned the violent escalation of events in Kiev overnight leading to casualties." "The reported deaths of several protesters is a source of extreme worry and my sympathy goes to all those affected. I call on everyone involved to ensure restraint. The use of force and resort to violence is not an answer to the political crisis," she said, and added: "All acts of violence must come to an immediate end and be swiftly investigated. Those responsible will have to be held to account. Ukrainian citizens' rights of assembly, freedom of expression and media must be fully respected and protected." "I am deeply concerned about attacks on journalists and about reports of missing persons. I call on the government and the opposition to engage in a genuine dialogue at the highest level. The solution needs to meet the aspirations of the Ukrainian people," Ashton stated. B92 Tanjug

Clashes as police move to dismantle barricades

The protesters, on the other hand, threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the police, who responded with tear gas and stun grenades, according to Interfax, which added that several people had been detained.

After that, the medical service of the Ukrainian protest movement said that one protester died "after being shot by a police sniper," AFP reported.

This service added that another person was killed when he fell from the top of a colonnade at the entrance to a football stadium.

AP is saying, quoting its reporter, that doctors declared two people dead from bullets, "near the barricades."

The police action in Kiev came a day after a controversial new set of laws that limits the right to protest came into force.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov yesterday warned that the government will have no choice but to use force if the "provocateurs" does not cease to encourage conflict.

Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko said on Tuesday the government was "paying people to cause trouble in order to discredit the opposition and prepare the ground for a crackdown on protests."

He urged people throughout Ukraine to come to Kiev and help overthrow President Viktor Yanukovych.

Pro-EU demonstrators started their protests in November, due to the sudden decision of the government not to sign an agreement with the EU, and instead turn to Russia.

Ashton concerned over reported deaths

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton issued a statement on Wednesday, saying that she "strongly condemned the violent escalation of events in Kiev overnight leading to casualties."

"The reported deaths of several protesters is a source of extreme worry and my sympathy goes to all those affected. I call on everyone involved to ensure restraint. The use of force and resort to violence is not an answer to the political crisis," she said, and added:

"All acts of violence must come to an immediate end and be swiftly investigated. Those responsible will have to be held to account. Ukrainian citizens' rights of assembly, freedom of expression and media must be fully respected and protected."

"I am deeply concerned about attacks on journalists and about reports of missing persons. I call on the government and the opposition to engage in a genuine dialogue at the highest level. The solution needs to meet the aspirations of the Ukrainian people," Ashton stated.