15:45 22.01.2014

Ukrainian govt lifts restrictions on use of water cannons against rioters in cold weather

1 min read
Ukrainian govt lifts restrictions on use of water cannons against rioters in cold weather

The Ukrainian government has amended the regulations on using special means in protecting public order by allowing police forces to use water cannons against rioters regardless of air temperature.

"Water cannons shall be used by police to curb mass unrest and group violations of public order, counter attacks on buildings, structures, other facilities, and vehicles regardless of their ownership, protect civilians, and defend themselves from attacks and other actions posing a threat to their lives, health, housing, or property," says the new version of Clause 16 of the rules of the use of special means during the protection of public order endorsed by the government on January 22, 2014.

The previous version of the rules indicated that water cannons could be used to disperse participants in mass unrest on condition that the air temperature is not below zero degrees Celsius.

As of 1400 on Wednesday, the temperature in Kyiv was minus 10 degrees Celsius, and it had been snowing there for the second day.

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