Dnipropetrovsk organization of Our Ukraine claims authorities blocking opposition's activities
Kyiv, September 10 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The organization of the Our Ukraine Party in Dnipropetrovsk region has claimed that the authorities of Dnipropetrovsk and the Regions Party are blocking the activities of the opposition.
Chairman of the Democratic Dnipropetrovsk Region Association and head of Dnipropetrovsk regional organization of the Our Ukraine Viktor Hnoyevy said at a press conference in Interfax-Ukraine that one example of interference in the work of the opposition was the unwillingness of the city authorities to accept an application from the regional organization of the Our Ukraine to hold a meeting in protest at rises in tariffs for housing and utilities services near the mayor's office on September 7. However, he noted, an application from the Regions Party to hold a rally near the state administration had been accepted.
At the same time, according to Hnoyevy, a protest meeting was held with the participation of representatives of other opposition forces (about 8,000 people) not far from the building of the mayor’s office. In spite of the fact that the government failed to allow the event, the police didn't prevent it from going ahead.
"I believe there is hope that the city government will fulfill the functions of government, rather than being some punitive agency that allows or doesn't allow the holding of events," the head of the regional organization of Our Ukraine said.