Chaos in Kiev as “Financial Maidan” Turns Violent

by Vaska

Thursday, May 21, clashes took place in downtown Kiev, where crowds protesting the soaring cost of private loans and the economic crisis Ukraine’s been plunged into since the coup last year set fire to car tires and tried to break into the parliament building. So far, the protests have been contained by the riot police.

The “Financial Maidan” movement has been active for several months in Kiev, with demonstrations near the Parliament and the National Bank. Their demands include refunds for those with deposits in banks hit worst by the crisis.

They also demand resignation of the country’s Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk and Finance Minister Natalya Yaresko – a former US State Department employee. At least 11 “Financial Maidan” activists were into their fourth day of a hunger strike next to the Parliament building Thursday. One of them has been taken to hospital.

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