Ukraine: Police 'attack wrong protesters'

[Mave]

Ukraine: Police 'attack wrong protesters'

Ukrainian riot police have allegedly beaten up a busload of government supporters, after mistaking them for opposition activists.

A coach carrying pro-government demonstrators was stopped just outside Kiev and boarded by riot police, according to anti-government activist Dmitriy Belotserkovets. Despite the passengers shouting "we're on the same side as you", police proceeded to beat them up, he said.

Speaking to Russian news website Novy Region, Belotserkovets said the coach was attacked because its number plates were from western Ukraine, from where many anti-government protesters have travelled. The group was in fact from the Crimean city of Sevastopol.

Realising their mistake, the police allowed the bloodied demonstrators to continue on its way, Belotserkovets said.

Anti-government protesters have been camping out in Kiev for more than two months since the government halted efforts to integrate with the EU. Residents of eastern Ukraine are said to have been bussed into Kiev and paid to rally in support of the government.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-25962702

 

[novokyiv]

The police violence is going way overboard.
These officers aren't even aware of whom is it they are beating! This is preposterous.
This is why I hope these protests will end soon, regardless of the final result, even if I root for those protesting in the Maidan. There has been too much suffering, too much blood; more deaths than would be allowed, even for this cause.

 

[Mave]

The police violence is going way overboard.
These officers aren't even aware of whom is it they are beating! This is preposterous.
This is why I hope these protests will end soon, regardless of the final result, even if I root for those protesting in the Maidan. There has been too much suffering, too much blood; more deaths than would be allowed, even for this cause.

I agree, an endless fight between protesters and police isn't really doing much..

 

[novokyiv]

The police violence is going way overboard.
These officers aren't even aware of whom is it they are beating! This is preposterous.
This is why I hope these protests will end soon, regardless of the final result, even if I root for those protesting in the Maidan. There has been too much suffering, too much blood; more deaths than would be allowed, even for this cause.

I agree, an endless fight between protesters and police isn't really doing much..

If anything, it's pleasing Russia. Russian officials have stated before that they would gladly split Ukraine in two to ruin it, would it decide to leave the side of the CIS Customs Union.
If a split does happen, Western Ukraine, banded with the EU, will actually suffer greatly as most of the industry and money comes from the East. Kiev will be unhappy and the people poorer and the only thing this would do is bring the Western Ukrainians closer to Russia and back for a reunion.
In most cases that I personally can see, Russia wins.
If the people in the Maidan are trying to make a difference, they'll have a very tough time.