Ukrainian protesters defiant on streets of Kiev

  • 10 years ago
ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

Protesters remain defiant in Ukraine where a stalemate has lasted around the clock at the barricades in central Kiev.

An alleged torture case has fueled anger that has become so explosive that the army made a rare statement, calling for urgent moves to ease the tension.

On Friday (January 31) embattled President Viktor Yanukovich signed into law an amnesty for demonstrators detained during mass unrest and repealed anti-protest legislation, in a fresh bid to take the heat out of the political crisis.

But the move by Yanukovich, which demonstrated he remains politically active despite going on sick leave on Thursday (January 30), was not likely to be enough to end the sometimes violent anti-government protests on the streets of Kiev and other cities.

Many protesters rejected Yanukovich's amnesty outright because it is conditional on occupied buildings being cleared of activists.

At least six people have been killed, al