Ukrainian ex-minister injured in clashes

PanARMENIAN.Net - Several people have been injured in clashes between protesters and riot police in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Former interior minister and leading opposition figure Yuriy Lutsenko was among those wounded, according to BBC News.

The violence broke out after three activists were earlier jailed over an alleged terror plot.

The unrest took place amid ongoing anti-government rallies against the government's decision to pull out of a landmark deal with the European Union. Instead, President Viktor Yanukovych struck a deal with Russia in December, which has seen big cuts in the price of gas imports from Russia. Moscow also supported Ukraine's finances with a $15bn purchase of government bonds.

The overnight clashes occurred outside a courthouse in Kyiv, where a large crowd had gathered for the verdict in a trial against members of a far-right organization, the BBC says.

Following the judgment, angry demonstrators blocked buses carrying police officers.

The situation escalated after protesters threw paint on the windscreens and started rocking the vehicles. Local news reports showed footage of badly beaten protestors, including Lutsenko who was reportedly hit on the head.

The three ultra-nationalists were handed six-year prison sentences on Friday, Jan 10, for allegedly plotting to blow up a statue of the revolutionary Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin in 2011.

The country is experiencing its largest protests since the 2004 Orange Revolution. Protesters have been camped out in Kyiv's Independence Square since the opposition campaign began two months ago.