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)
No comments:
Post a Comment