Ukraine opposition warns of emergency law, police attempt break-up of protests News
Ukraine opposition warns of emergency law, police attempt break-up of protests

[JURIST] Opposition presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko warned Sunday that Ukrainian authorities are considering declaring emergency law in an attempt to break up ongoing demonstrations in Kyiv's Independence Square. Addressing protestors, Yushchenko warned, "if any preparations for resolution by force come to light, we will break off negotiations immediately. Maidan News has more. According to a Maidan News report, several military vehicles filled with military policemen are heading toward downtown Kyiv, but are being blocked by protestors picketing the Cabinet of Ministers. A live shot of Independence Square is provided by a One Plus One TV webcam here.

Meanwhile, supporters of Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych in eastern Ukraine announced Sunday that they will hold a vote next Sunday to establish the region as a semi-independent area. BBC News has more. Yushchenko has demanded that criminal charges be brought immediately against heads of regional governments who are calling for separatism, saying they are "trying to evade responsibility for distorting the will of the citizenry and [breaking] several Ukrainian laws." Read the statement released by Yushchenko's Central Headquarters. The Kyiv Post has more.

4:57 PM ET – Maidan is reporting that Julia Tymoshenko, former Ukrainian MP and Yushchenko supporter, has announced a rally to be held at the Supreme Court Monday morning. The effort is meant to be a "peaceful rally directed at protection of Judges from [outgoing Ukrainian President Leonid]Kuchma's pressure." As previously reported on JURIST's Paper Chase the Ukrainian Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the opposition's challenge to the official election results this week. Tymoshenko also called for all of Yushchenko's supporters to gather at the president's office in order to prevent Yanukovych from seizing the office.