Ukrainian police detained 56 far-right members during protest at gay pride
More people were detained in an altercation near the Opera House
By Steve Brown
Ukrainian police have detained 56 members of far-right radical groups after fights before the capital’s gay pride march.
On Sunday (June 17), more than 150 far-right protesters attempted to block off the route of Kiev’s gay pride march and fights started when police in riot gear moved to clear the street.
In a statement, the police said: “Several men who resisted and used gas canisters against law enforcement officers were detained.”
The far-right group C14 claimed the police surrounded the protesters and attacked them with batons and tear gas.
In a Facebook post, they wrote: “Look at how they protect ‘sexual minorities’ and violate the rights of regular Kiev citizens.”
More people were detained in an altercation near the Opera House, police said.