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Russian Foreign Ministry urges Kiev to comment on Inter TV arson

The Russian Foreign Ministry has once again urged Kiev to put an end to the systematic policy of suppression of the freedom of speech in the country
Office of the Ukrainian TV channel Inter Maxim Nikitin/TASS
Office of the Ukrainian TV channel Inter
© Maxim Nikitin/TASS

MOSCOW, September 5. /TASS/. Moscow is urging Kiev’s political sponsors, international institutions and human rights organizations to comment on the arson of the Inter TV studios in Kiev, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

"Quite obvious is another confirmation of the deplorable human rights situation in that country and an outright demonstration of an artificially created atmosphere of hatred and fear and annoyance over any alternative points of view," the Foreign Ministry said.

"This is the real worth of Kiev’s professed commitment to the European standards and Ukraine’s corresponding international obligations."

"Once again we are urging Kiev’s foreign sponsors and the international institutions concerned and human rights organizations to make a high-principled legal and moral comment on actions by extremists and to demand an end to the systematic policy of suppression of the freedom of speech in the country," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. 

Indefinite action near Inter TV channel in Kiev

Several dozen protesters, blocking the entrance to the building of the Ukrainian TV channel Inter in Kiev, have declared their action indefinite.

"We are now blocking this channel ... We are letting everybody out and nobody in," one of the protesters told the Korrespondent.net publication. According to him, the number of protesters is expected to increase to 1,000 people on Monday.

Radically-minded persons, including representatives of the Donbass, Aidar, Svyataya Maria (Holy Mary) battalions have started to bring tires to TC channel’s building, making threats to set on fire the central building of Inter. They have been leaving insulting inscriptions on the fence around the building, accusing the channel of pro-Russian views. Newsone reported that the protest action was well organized, as water and meals have been brought to the protesters.

On September 4 a group of 20 unidentified pickets wearing combat fatigues put up tends in front of one of the building of the Inter TV channel in Kiev and accused its staff of pro-Russian views. Also, they started burning tires in front of the central entrance. Later, they forced their way inside and started a fire inside the studio.