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Radical anti-government protesters were forced to give up their brief occupation of Ukraine’s Justice Ministry on Monday after fellow opposition groups accused them of jeopardising peace negotiations.
The Justice Minister Olena Lukash threatened to declare a state of emergency unless protesters left the ministry they had seized and fortified in the early hours of Monday morning, sparking calls from fellow demonstrators for the group to refrain from escalating the confrontation with authorities.
“I will be forced to ask the President of Ukraine to stop the talks if the building is not freed immediately and negotiators are not given a chance to find a peaceful solution to the conflict,” Ms Lukash told Ukraine’s Inter channel.
The Spilna Sprava (Common Cause) group, which is occupying several buildings in the Ukrainian capital, is just one of several more radical elements within the previously peaceful protest movement and has played a key role in paralysing Kiev city centre.
The political opposition condemned the latest seizure as a step too far, which could potentially jeopardise negotiations to end the political crisis. Three protesters were killed in clashes with police last week, with hundreds more injured.
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, UkraineShow all 51 1 /51In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Anti-government protesters clash with police on Hrushevskoho Street in Ukraine's capital city on Friday night
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Anti-government protesters attempt to take over the Ukrainian House on Sunday night
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Protesters and police officers clash during the night of Friday to Saturday. After two months of primarily peaceful anti-government protests in the city center, new laws meant to end the protest movement have sparked violent clashes in recent days
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Anti-government protesters clash with policemen in Kiev on Friday night as the protests continue in Ukraine
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Anti-government protesters gather around a fire to get warm at a road block in Kiev on 26 January
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine An anti-government protester prepares to throw a Molotov cocktail during the clashes between protesters and policemen on 24 January
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Anti-government protesters hurl Molotov cocktails and burn tires during clashes with police on Hrushevskoho Street near Dynamo stadium on January 24
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Protesters confront police in central Kiev on Friday night
Darko Vojinovic/AP
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Anti-government protesters launches a firework towards police near the Dynamo Stadium in Kiev
Rob Stothard/Getty Images
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine A protester waves a Ukrainian flag during clashes with police in central Kiev
Darko Vojinovic/AP
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine A protester throws a tire onto a fire in Kiev
Darko Vojinovic/AP
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Opposition leader and former WBC heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko addresses protesters near the burning barricades between police and protesters in central Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine A protester breaks up a mannequin on the roof of the burned truck during clashes with police in central Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine A protester throws tires onto a fire during a clash with police in central Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Thick black smoke from burning tires engulfed parts of downtown Kiev as an ultimatum issued by the opposition to the president to call early election or face street rage was set to expire with no sign of a compromise
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Protesters use a large slingshot to hurl a Molotov cocktail at police in central Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Burning members of the Ukrainian riot police due to the gasoline bombs hurled by anti-government protestors during the clashes in central Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine A demonstrator holds an incendiary device as protesters clash with police in the center of Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Protesters burn tires as they clash with riot police during an anti-government protest in downtown Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Protesters clash with police in central Kiev. Police in Ukraine's capital tore down protester barricades and chased demonstrators away from the site of violent clashes, hours after two protesters died after being shot
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine A riot police officer escorts a man as a woman with a cross reacts nearby during clashes between police and pro-European protesters in Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Riot policemen arrest a protestor during an anti-government protest in downtown Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine An injured man is escorted during clashes between police and pro-European protesters in Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Medical workers help an injured man during anti-government protest in downtown Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Medical personnel transport a man who was injured during clashes with riot police in Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine A man reacts after he was injured during a rally held by pro-European protesters in Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine An Orthodox priest tries to stop clash protesters the police in the center of Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Ukrainian priests stand between protesters and riot police officers during an anti-government protest in downtown Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine An elderly woman walks from police officers as they block a street during unrest in central Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine An Ukrainian opposition activist speak to riot-forces standing guard in front of the parliament in Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine A protester smokes at the barricade in front of armour-clad security forces blocking access to the Verkhovna Rada parliament in Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Pro-European protester take cover during clashes with riot police in Kiev. Two demonstrators were reported killed in new anti-government unrest in the Ukrainian capital, inflaming protesters who confronted police shouting 'Murderers' and 'Glory to Ukraine!'
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Pro-European protesters launch a pyrotechnic pistol towards riot police during clashes in Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine A police officer throws a Molotov cocktail during clashes with protesters in central Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine A pro-European protester lies on the ground during clashes with riot police in Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Demonstrators beat on a burnt vehicle as pro-European integration protesters hold a rally in Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine People stand on a barricade during a clashing break of the opposition and the police in Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Protesters tip over a burnt out police bus during an anti-government protest in downtown Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine A pro-European protester fires a pneumatic gun during clashes with Ukrainian riot police in Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Protesters wearing headbands reading 'Help' shout slogans during an action entitled 'Impose sanctions - stop the violence' in front of the European Union delegation in Ukraine in Kiev. Participants of the rally urged the European Union to immediately impose personal sanctions for those responsible for the use of force against peaceful protesters and journalists, as well as involved in the adoption of unconstitutional laws in Ukraine that violate fundamental human rights
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine A pro-European integration protester catches fire during clashes with police in Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine A pro-European integration protester sits in a burnt police bus after a rally near government administration buildings in Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine A pro-European integration protester uses a slingshot during clashes with police in Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine A bare chested man waves a Ukrainian flag during clashes between the opposition and police in the centre of Kiev. Opposition protesters were today locked in a tense standoff with Ukrainian police in Kiev after bloody clashes that wounded over 200 people, as President Viktor Yanukovych called emergency talks to resolve the crisis
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine A protester sprays fire in the direction of the riot police during clashes in the centre of Kiev. EU foreign ministers deplored violent protests in Kiev, saying the government was at fault for passing a package of repressive laws in an effort to tame pro-EU demonstrations
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Pro-European integration protesters carry Molotov cocktails during clashes with police in Kiev. Protesters clashed with riot police in the Ukrainian capital after tough anti-protest legislation, which the political opposition says paves the way for a police state and was rushed through parliament
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine A protester prays as he holds an open Bible during an anti-government protest in downtown Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Protesters clad in improvised protective gear prepare for a clash with police in central Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Pro-European protesters bang on a metal bin during a rally in Kiev
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine A clergyman opposes riot police in Kiev during a rally held by pro-European integration demonstrators. Protesters gathered in Independence Square as repressive new laws came into force
Reuters
In pictures: Clashes between police and demonstrators in Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine Pro-European Union activists sing the national anthem in central Kiev
AP
There have been numerous cases of alleged police brutality and kidnappings reported on both sides. “We denounce these provocative actions that are designed to provoke a state of emergency being called,” said Stepan Kubiv, member of parliament for the Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) party, on Monday. “We are for peace and no more bloodshed.”
The US ambassador to Kiev, Geoffrey Pyatt, tweeted that the storming of the Justice Ministry was “Bad News. Plain and simple… Especially at this key political moment”.
President Viktor Yanukovych has offered to give opposition leaders top government posts, make amendments to the constitution, and allow an amnesty for detained protesters. But the opposition said it would continue to push for further concessions – especially a key demand for early elections, currently scheduled for 2015. A special session of parliament is due to take place today to discuss the crisis.
Oleksandr Danylyuk, leader of Spilna Sprava, whose supporters are thought to number in the hundreds, said the group would leave the building, but would maintain a presence outside, ready to storm it again if the opposition’s demands are not met.
“If the demands on [the] restoring of constitutional order, organising of presidential and parliament elections and ceasing terror acts against Ukrainian people are not fulfilled tomorrow, then we will storm all administrative buildings,” Mr Danyliuk warned in a post on his Facebook page, according to the Kyiv Post.
Demonstrations began in Kiev in November after Mr Yanukovich spurned a political and trade agreement with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. But the protests turned violent over a week ago, after the government introduced tough new anti-protest laws. At least three people have been killed in clashes with police, and hundreds injured.
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