Anti-terrorist officers used force to remove a group of 10 lawmakers who were protesting at the National Election Commission building in Kiev on 14 October 2008. Reports indicate that more than 40 anti-terrorist force officers and 60 regular police officers were involved, although many were simply on reserve. Four lawmakers were reportedly injured. The parliamentarians — all supporters of Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko — had been at the building since the previous day and were preventing preparations for a snap election on 7 December. President Victor Yushchenko called the elections on 8 October, but a Kiev city court later suspended the decree due to a lawsuit filed by Tymoshenko, who opposes the polls. Yushchenko has since abolished the court, but the issue remains open.

ASI Comment: While this specific incident had little widespread effect, it is significant in that it is the first use of force in this latest political crisis and violates Ukraine’s constitution, which prohibits law enforcement officers from arresting or even touching the country’s lawmakers. Further fueling concern, earlier reports had indicated that both Yushchenko’s and Tymoshenko’s security forces were stationed at the appeals court that will hear the case, although there have thus far been no reports of conflict.