Kyiv police threaten to interfere if demonstrators don't stop picketing govt HQ
KYIV. Dec 5 (Interfax) - A Kyiv court has ordered pro-European Union demonstrators to stop picketing the Cabinet headquarters.
A court bailiff read out the Shevchenkivsky District Court's order to the demonstrators on Thursday.
Kyiv acting police chief Valery Mazan, who was present on the scene, told reporters that the order was to be fulfilled within five days of its issue - it was issued on Wednesday, - and that the police would intervene if the pickets were not lifted by that deadline, though he declined to say what specifically the police would do.
The demonstrators, who numbered hundreds, were aggressive and met the bailiff and police who had come along with him by shouting, "Disgrace!"
Mazan explained to reporters and demonstrators that picketing public buildings was a legal offense.
He was repeatedly asked whether the police would use force if the demonstrators failed to leave by the end of the fifth day, but he declined to give a direct answer. "They mustn't hinder the normal functioning of state institutions," he said.
However, when asked what means would be used to enforce order, Mazan said: "All of them will be used."