Ukraine: justice minister threatens state of emergency

Dozens of protesters stormed into the Ukrainian Justice Ministry building in Kiev late on Sunday.

The protesters reportedly faced no resistance from police as they seized the building which is near the centre of the violent confrontations that have raged in recent days between anti-government demonstrators and riot police.

The protesters immediately began to construct another barricade around the building using rubbish containers and sandbags.

‘State of emergency’

In a government video handout, Ukrainian Justice Minister Olena Lukash said that she will be forced to ask the government to introduce the state of emergency if protesters continue to occupy the building.

“I am a member of the working group to find a solution for the current situation. And I will be forced to address the president of Ukraine and ask him to stop the talks unless the building of the Ministry is freed immediately and the participants of the talks are not given a chance to find a peaceful resolution of the conflict”, Ms Lukash said.

“If the Justice Ministry building is not freed, I will be forced to address my colleagues, members of the Council of Security and Defence and ask them to discuss introducing the state of emergency in the country”, she added.

The two-month stand-off has sparked the worst violence in Ukraine since it won independence in 1991 as the Soviet Union collapsed.

At least six people have been killed, according to the prosecutor’s office and medics, and the crisis has deepened tension between Russia and the West.

Read more: far-right extremists at core of 'democracy' protest

Yet protesters seem to be reluctant to give up the fight hoping to oust from power President Viktor Yanukovich, who abruptly abandoned plans to sign political association and free trade deals with the EU last November, pledging instead to improve ties with former Soviet master Russia and angering millions who dream of a European future.

“It’s good that people went out to the street and expressed their point of view, and not just sat at home and watched the events,” Kiev resident Volodymir said.

“I think that the impulse which happened here had somehow resonated there and people paid attention to it. I think it’s good they started moving and acting, not just watching,”he added.

The unrest has spilled over into other regions of the country of 46m people.

Protesters have occupied municipal headquarters in up to 10 western regions, where opposition is strongest, but there is also unrest in traditionally pro-Yanukovich areas of eastern Ukraine and the south.

Opposition leaders reject job offers

Hoping to end protests that threaten to bring the country to a standstill, Mr Yanukovich on Saturday offered former economy minister Arseny Yatsenyuk the post of prime minister.

Vitaly Klitschko, a former international boxing champion, was offered the job of deputy prime minister responsible for humanitarian issues, the presidential website said.

The presidency linked its offer to the opposition reining in violent protesters. Though the protest movement is largely peaceful, a hard core of radicals has been fighting pitched battles with police away from Independence Square.