20:09 21.05.2013

UK ambassador hopes for proper investigation into beating of journalists in Kyiv on May 18

3 min read

British Ambassador to Ukraine Simon Smith has said he is concerned about the situation with the beating of journalists during a May 18 rally in Kyiv and expressed hope that the police will investigate into the incident properly.

"It is always regrettable when incidents escalating into violence and confrontation occur during demonstration, and ordinary citizens, as well as journalists going about their business are affected by it," the diplomat said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

He said the freedom of the media was very important to Europe, and that is why he was disappointed by the incident.

"We're monitoring how freedom of speech is observed in Ukraine, as it is one of the main elements of a free and successful society. There will be no democracy without freedom of the media, and a successful basis for any country's future cannot be built without it," Smith said.

The diplomat expressed hope that relevant Ukrainian agencies will investigate this incident properly and answer all questions.

"We are also concerned about media reports saying that the police did not react immediately to the situation, did not stop this confrontation and did not prevent the incident. But I hope that relevant agencies that are investigating this case will assess the events and take the necessary measures to prevent such situations occurring again in the future," the diplomat said.

As reported, a conflict erupted between representatives of the opposition and a group of unidentified men on Velyka Zhytomyrska Street in Kyiv at about 1420 on May 18, which later turned into a brawl. The young men began throwing water bottles and stones.

Several people, including Channel 5 journalist Olha Snitsarchuk and Kommersant photographer Vladyslav Sodel, were injured in the incident.

The scuffle took place during the opposition's Rise Up, Ukraine! campaign (on Sofiyska Square) and a Party of Regions rally (on European Square). The incident occurred outside the building of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry's office in Kyiv.

On May 20, it was reported that the leadership of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry's main office in Kyiv had ordered an internal investigation regarding the inaction of law enforcement officers during the incident on Velyka Zhytomyrska Street on May 18.

On May 21, the media liaisons office of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry reported that a suspect in the beating of journalists had been detained.

In addition, Interior Minister of Ukraine Vitaliy Zakharchenko said that the police have reclassified the investigation into the May 18 incident from 'causing minor injuries' of Part 1, Article 121 to 'hooliganism' of Part 2, Article 296 of the Criminal Code.

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