Ukraine: Violent protests in Kyiv September 17

Event

A demonstration broke out in front of the Prosecutor General’s Office in Kyiv on Monday, September 17, following the extradition of a Russian citizen from the country. Dozens of people gathered in the area to protest the government’s decision on September 12 to accept the extradition request from Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). Clashes broke out between protesters and security personnel, resulting in at least seven officers being wounded. Additional demonstrations are possible in the coming days.

Context

Ukraine's State Migration Service extradited Timur Tumgoyev, a native of the Russian republic of Ingushetia, after the FSB claimed Tumgoyev fought with Islamist extremists in Syria. Tumgoyev had previously requested asylum in Ukraine after fighting against Russian-backed forces in the Donbas. The Kharkiv Human Rights Group claims that the FSB's charges are false and that the Russian government routinely manufactures political cases to silence government critics.

Advice

Individuals in Kyiv are advised to monitor the situation and avoid all protests as a precaution.