Ukraine: Hundreds demand law enforcement reform in Kyiv February 18

Event

Hundreds of people staged a protest march in Kyiv on Monday, February 18, to demand reforms to law enforcement practices. Those in attendance notably included members of far-right nationalist organizations. Demonstrators marched from Mykhaila Hrushevskoho Street to the Ministry of Internal Affairs office on Monday night (local time), with security forces blocking off Akademika Bohomol'tsya Street as the demonstrators lit flares in protest. Similar protests are possible in Kyiv over the near term.

Context

The protest was notably organized after right-wing activists clashed with police in the capital on February 9 while demonstrating over the November 2018 death of anti-corruption activist Katya Gandzjuk; she was targeted in an acid attack in July 2018. The activists claim that police unjustly detained dozens of protesters, wounding several through excessive use of force.  

Advice

Individuals in Kyiv are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.