Saturday 26 May 2012

SCUFFLE IN UKRAINE PARLIAMENT




A SCUFFLE erupted in Ukraine's parliament over a bill allowing Russian to be used as an official language. If the bill is passed, the language can be used in courts, hospitals and other institutions in the Russian-speaking regions of the country.

The fight broke out between members of the pro-Western opposition - who want to take Ukraine out of Russia's shadow - and lawmakers from President Viktor Yanukovych's party.

At least one legislator - opposition lawmaker Mykola Petruk - was injured in the head and taken to the hospital.

Lawmakers have frequently scuffled in the Ukrainian parliament, according to The Associated Press.

In December 2010, a fierce fight started when members of Yanukovych's party threw chairs and punched opposition lawmakers, who had been blocking legislative work all day. At least six people were injured.

During a fight in April 2010, the parliament speaker hid behind an umbrella as opposition lawmakers threw eggs and smoke bombs to protest a naval pact with Russia.

Ukraine is deeply divided into the Russian-speaking east and south, which favors close ties with Moscow, and the Ukrainian-speaking west, which wants Ukraine to join the Western club. (AP)

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