UKRAINE-PROTESTS-POLICE-VICTIMS

Kyiv, July 6 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Twenty-five Berkut Unit officers and two traffic policemen have sought medical aid during protests against the language bill outside the Ukrainian House in Kyiv, the Interior Ministry’s Main Directorate for Kyiv said on Friday.

“The policemen have been diagnosed with various injuries: bruises, scratches, eye injuries, head injuries, intoxication syndrome and chemical burns. Currently, 15 people are still hospitalized, one of them is at a hospital of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry, two have been discharged,” the statement said.

The police officers were injured during clashes with protestors, some of whom used physical force and sprayed an unidentified chemical substance, the statement said.

The Kyiv police are trying to identify the organizers and active demonstrators, who could face up to 14 years of imprisonment, the statement said.

On July 3, Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada passed a bill proposed by the Party of Regions, regarding the principles of the state language policy. The bill strengthens the position of Russian and several other languages spoken by ethnic minorities in regions, where they make up 10% of the population and more.

The bill was passed with multiple irregularities, the opposition said.

[UA EUROPE EEU EMRG POL PRO]

19:34:33 EET-2