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Ukraine protests: Arnold Schwarzenegger shows his support for demonstrators in YouTube message posted by Klitschko

The Austrian actor recorded a video message for demonstrators in the country which was posted via the opposition leader's YouTube account

Jenn Selby
Monday 27 January 2014 17:11 GMT
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Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Last Stand
Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Last Stand (AP)

Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared his support for protestors in the Ukraine.

Scroll down to watch the video

The Austrian actor recorded a video message for demonstrators in the country, which was posted by heavyweight boxer – and Ukrainian opposition leader – Vitali Klitschko via the YouTube account he shares with his brother Vladimir Klitschko.

During the clip, the former Governor of California wishes the fighters “all the best of luck in their peaceful struggle for democracy and freedom”. He ends his address by flashing a peace sign at the camera.

The video has racked up views of over 1.3million since it was first uploaded on Friday.

It marks the latest in a string of celebrity supporters for the protest movement in the country. Other stars who have shown their support include George Clooney and producer Quincy Jones.

Vitali Klitschko was recently offered the role of deputy prime minister by the Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, who believes his appointment could help to end the growing unrest in the country.

At least four are thought to have died in violent street clashes between police and opposition supporters.

The demonstrations were initially sparked by the government’s dramatic U-turn decision to pull out of a treaty with the EU which would have bought them closer to the Union.

Tensions boiled over and erupted in violence after Yanukovych introduced new anti-protest laws designed to end the demonstrations, which banned demonstrations from taking place without the government’s permission, protestors from wearing masks and convoys of more than five cars taking to the road at any time.

Those who disobeyed the laws were threatened with up to ten years in prison.

See Arnold Schwarzenegger's message to Ukrainian demonstrators below:

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