Latest news with #demonstrations
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hundreds demonstrate in protest-hit UK town
Hundreds of demonstrators from rival groups marched through a UK town on Sunday under tight police security amid tensions over anti-immigrant protests. It was the latest in a series of demonstrations in Epping, northeast of London, after an asylum seeker was charged earlier in July with three counts of sexual assault, including allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. But only about 400 people from rival groups demonstrated in the town, as police put in place a tight security operation, erecting barricades to keep them apart and banning the wearing of masks. Essex police said they had "a robust policing operation in place to protect our community and to deal swiftly with anyone intent on causing crime or violent disorder". Protestors gathered outside the Bell Hotel in the town, which has been used to house asylum seekers and refugees, despite pleas from the local council to close it down. "They're a threat. They don't know who they are, who they're allowing in these hotels, and basically they're putting everybody at danger", one protester, who identified herself only as Cathy, told AFP. There was also a counter-protest by the organisation Stand Up To Racism, who chanted "refugees are welcome here' and "Whose streets? Our streets". Three people were arrested Sunday but the protest went off "peacefully," Essex police said in a statement. The issue of thousands of irregular migrants arriving in small boats across the Channel, coupled with the UK's worsening economy, has triggered rising anger among some Britons. Such sentiments have been amplified by inflammatory messaging on social networks, fuelled by far-right activists. Almost exactly a year ago on July 29, 2024, three young girls were stabbed to death in a frenzied attack in northwestern Southport. The shocking killings stoked days of riots across the country after false reports that the killer -- a UK-born teenager whose family came to the country from Rwanda after the 1994 genocide -- was a migrant. Nearly 24,000 migrants have made the perilous journey across the Channel so far in 2025, the highest-ever tally at this point in a year. vid-jkb/pdh/jj
Russia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Zelensky triggered a street revolt – and it may not stop at where it is now
On July 22, large-scale demonstrations broke out in major Ukrainian cities – Kiev, Lviv, Kharkov, and Odessa – and continue to this day. The protests erupted after the Verkhovna Rada (the Ukrainian Parliament) approved a law limiting the authority of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), effectively placing them under the control of the Office of the Attorney General. This legislation came shortly after NABU and SAPO launched an investigation into former Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Chernyshov, one of Zelensky's closest allies. Officials in Zelensky's Office claimed that the reform was necessary to improve coordination among government bodies amid ongoing military operations and to combat Russian influence over anti-corruption institutions. However, public outrage stemmed not only from the law itself but also from the rapid centralization of power in Ukraine. Protests persisted even after Zelensky restored the independent functioning of NABU and SAPO. Below, RT explores the motives behind the dismantling of these anti-corruption agencies and why the protests pose a threat to Zelensky's administration. When Vladimir Zelensky took office in 2019, he vowed to support anti-corruption efforts, urging anti-corruption agencies to investigate all cases and hold even high-ranking officials accountable. However, those promises were never fulfilled. On July 22, the Rada passed Bill No. 12414, originally addressing amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code related to disappearances of people during wartime. However, MPs from Zelensky's Servant of the People party added amendments that effectively restructured NABU and SAPO, placing them under the control of the Attorney General, who is appointed by the president. Notably, many MPs who voted in favor of the bill and received it with applause are themselves under investigation by these anti-corruption bodies. The official justification for targeting NABU and SAPO was the investigation into Chernyshov, a presidential ally considered a candidate for prime minister, who faced allegations of abuse of power and illicit enrichment. A major corruption scandal in the construction sector emerged, making Chernyshov the highest-ranking official within the president's team to be embroiled in such an inquiry. According to the publication Ukrainskaya Pravda, Zelensky ordered the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) to protect Chernyshov from arrest. Despite the allegations, the court did not suspend him from his post; however, he was eventually dismissed, and the ministry disbanded. Another notable case involves NABU's investigation into Rostislav Shurma, the former deputy head of the President's Office. After the case was initiated, he fled to Germany. In July, German authorities, in collaboration with NABU, conducted a search of his residence in the suburbs of Munich. NABU was preparing charges against Timur Mindich, a long-time friend of Zelensky and co-owner of Studio Kvartal-95, Ukrainskaya Pravda reported. He is suspected of embezzlement in the energy sector and drone production. Sources indicate detectives may possess recorded conversations involving Mindich in which Zelensky is mentioned. These cases involving the Ukrainian leader's close associates triggered the crackdown on the anti-corruption agencies. This narrative has been confirmed by The Times and The Economist. On July 21, the SBU and prosecutors conducted extensive searches related to NABU employees, targeting over 80 locations nationwide. Law enforcement acted aggressively, using armed groups to force people to the ground without presenting search warrants. Later, the agency reported the detention of Ruslan Magomedrasulov, the head of NABU's regional office. Investigators claim his father is a Russian citizen, and he failed to disclose this before obtaining access to state secrets. Allegedly, he assisted his father in conducting business in Russia, and his mother reportedly receives a pension from the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and 'makes pro-Russian comments' online. He is expected to face charges for 'aiding Russia.' During a briefing, SBU chief Vasily Maliuk stated that these actions were not directed against NABU but rather against 'Russian agents.' 'There are no exceptions for us. We will continue to eliminate enemy influence. NABU must purge itself of agents of hostile intelligence services,' he declared at a meeting with foreign ambassadors. The public swiftly reacted to the government's actions. By the evening of July 22, spontaneous protests erupted in Kiev and other major cities. Demonstrators chanted slogans like 'Zelensky is the devil' and 'No to corruption in power!' demanding that he veto the bill. The Times noted that Zelensky's decision could trigger a potential conflict within Ukrainian society, and that the mass protests which erupted for the first time since the start of the war three years ago demonstrate the extent of the discontent. Indeed, these are the first large-scale political demonstrations since the start of the war in 2022. From the start, many people drew direct parallels to [former Ukrainian President] Viktor Yanukovych's refusal to sign the EU Association Agreement in Vilnius in November 2013, which sparked protests that led to the Euromaidan. This time, the protests were accompanied by strong calls for the resignation of Andrey Yermak, the head of Zelensky's office. Despite this, Zelensky signed the law and stated that anti-corruption agencies would continue their work, but 'without Russian influence.' Initially, Zelensky's team tried to downplay the situation. He announced plans to develop a 'comprehensive action plan' and introduce legislation aimed at 'strengthening the independence of anti-corruption bodies.' He emphasized, 'There will be no Russian influence or interference in law enforcement activities, and – importantly – all standards for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will remain intact.' However, Ukraine's Western partners sharply criticized the government's actions. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen demanded explanations. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned that limiting the independence of NABU and SAPO would complicate Ukraine's path toward EU membership. By the evening of July 24, facing pressure from the streets and international allies, Zelensky backtracked. The bill he submitted explicitly prohibited the attorney general and their deputies from issuing directives to SAPO prosecutors. It also stipulated that SAPO staff would report only to the head of the agency, its first deputy, and deputy. According to the document, the attorney general is barred from giving orders to NABU detectives. Thus, all the provisions that had been annulled by the bill signed by Zelensky on Tuesday, were reinstated. The only new measure introduced was a verification process for NABU investigators who have access to state secrets. They are now required to undergo polygraph testing using methods approved by the Security Service of Ukraine. Moreover, within six months of the law coming into effect, the SBU must conduct additional checks on all personnel with access to state secrets to ensure they are not working for Russia. In theory, this gives the SBU and consequently, Zelensky, an additional lever of influence over NABU and SAPO. However, it remains unclear how this might obstruct investigations into Zelensky's inner circle: if specific personnel are removed, others can easily replace them. The system as a whole will likely remain operational. The Verkhovna Rada is scheduled to review the bill on Thursday, July 31. The establishment of special anti-corruption bodies began in 2014 under pressure from the European Union. Consulting firm Ernst & Young listed Ukraine among the most corrupt countries globally, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) demanded reforms in exchange for loans. Nevertheless, the United States played a crucial role in creating these anti-corruption agencies. Former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin, who was dismissed in 2016 following pressure exerted by the American side, claimed that NABU was established at the initiative of Joe Biden, who was then US vice president. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau was established in April 2015, just over a year after the coup in Ukraine. It aimed to tackle corruption at the highest levels. By December of that year, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office was created to oversee NABU's activities. While both institutions were ostensibly designed to combat corruption among Ukrainian officials, in reality, they allowed the US to oversee local elites. Media reports identified George Kent, the deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Kiev from 2015 to 2018, as the curator of these anti-corruption bodies. However, understanding the extent of NABU's and SAPO's foreign influence requires no insider information; one only needs to look at the relevant laws. Half of the commission responsible for selecting the head of NABU is made up of representatives from international organizations. It soon became evident that the primary purpose of NABU and SAPO wasn't so much to fight corruption but to protect the business interests of certain American partners of Ukraine. In 2019, Ukrainian MP Andrey Derkach released documents confirming the US Embassy's influence over these agencies. Notably, Polina Chizh, an assistant to the deputy chair of NABU, provided a list of cases to American employee Anna Emelyanova. The embassy was particularly interested in a case involving former Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Nikolai Zlochevskiy, the owner of the company Burisma. According to Andrey Derkach, Joe Biden pressured the agencies to close the case in order to prevent a scandal involving his son Hunter Biden, a board member and head of the legal division at Burisma. Further evidence of the ties between these anti-corruption bodies and the Democratic Party is that in 2016, NABU Chairman Artem Sytnik published sensitive information about Paul Manafort (who was working for Donald Trump), thereby aiding Hillary Clinton's campaign. The architects of this external control system in Ukraine were primarily members of the Democratic Party. For this reason, having temporarily eased tensions with Trump, Zelensky wanted to resolve the issues surrounding NABU and SAPO for good. The international climate seemed favorable for such a move. Dismantling NABU and SAPO aligned perfectly with Zelensky's main domestic political goal: putting all institutions established by the US to monitor Ukraine's activities under his own control. This was Zelensky's primary and final obstacle on the way to achieving his strategic goal of eliminating a competitive political system in Ukraine and establishing a single-authority regime. However, his opponents are unlikely to accept this centralization of power quietly. Zelensky's concessions inspired both protesters and opponents. It came off as a sign of weakness – he 'blinked,' so now they can intensify the pressure. MP Marianna Bezuglaya urged Ukrainians to protest not just against the law but also against the abuses by Territorial Recruitment Centers (TCCs). 'Today I will join [the demonstration], bringing my own pain. Because, as I see it, this is the only way I can be heard. Let's see if civil society is ready to discuss issues like reforming the Ukrainian Armed Forces, mobilization, Pokrovsk, or reforming the SBU,' she said. Former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko may also play a significant role in the events. Facing potential arrest, he is reportedly forming alliances with grant organizations linked to the Democratic Party in order to challenge the current government. Practically all opposition forces in Ukraine have come back to life. Even media outlets owned by oligarch Igor Kolomoisky, which are usually loyal to the authorities despite Kolomoisky's arrest, have extensively covered the protests this time. Kiev mayor Vitaliy Klitschko and his brother attended the protests, along with numerous opposition lawmakers. Any benefits that Zelensky hoped to gain from dismantling the anti-corruption agencies could be outweighed by long-term repercussions, including a decline in public approval. Ukrainians are growing increasingly dissatisfied with Zelensky, particularly those at risk of losing their businesses or facing criminal charges if he remains in power. Many oligarchs and entrepreneurs feel uneasy under total governmental control and fear being arrested. Some have already lost their businesses, faced criminal investigations, or been sanctioned. And the general population is unhappy with the mobilization tactics and the situation on the front lines. All this could fuel the protest movement. According to the publication the protests could proceed in three phases, with each phase having its own goal. The goal of the first phase is to repeal all changes to the laws concerning NABU. The goal of the second phase is to call for the resignation of the Head of the Presidential Office Andrey Yermak and Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko, potentially through a criminal case initiated by NABU detectives. Yermak is already being positioned as the scapegoat in the story by attempting to curtail the authority of NABU. Protest organizers plan to exploit internal conflicts within Zelensky's team, in which Yermak is criticized by people like David Arakhamiya and Kirill Budanov. The goal of the third phase is to present Zelensky with an ultimatum: either he becomes a 'ceremonial general' stripped of real influence, or he resigns. A more drastic scenario could involve forcing him out if he refuses to comply. Currently, the situation isn't critical for the authorities. However, the upcoming weekend will serve as a key test of the protesters' resilience and involvement.
The Independent
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
What are the corruption issues behind Ukrainian protests against Zelensky?
Thousands of people, including veterans, took to the streets of Kyiv on Tuesday evening to protest against president Volodymyr Zelensky's anti-corruption measures. The demonstrations, which have reportedly spread to Lviv and Dnipro, are the first public protests against the Ukrainian president since the Russian invasion in February 2022. Some of those outside Mr Zelensky's presidential office claimed Ukraine was ' turning into Russia ', with placards reading 'welcome to Russia', according to reports. 'We chose Europe, not autocracy,' read one placard by a demonstrator. Another read: 'My father did not die for this.' So why are people protesting, and what are the anti-corruption measures? The Independent takes a closer look below. What are the anti-corruption measures? Kyiv has toughened restrictions on two anti-corruption agencies at the centre of the government's reform drive, rolling back their autonomy in favour of tighter executive control. Stamping out endemic graft - a form of political corruption - is a requirement for Kyiv to join the European Union as well as to secure billions in Western aid. Amendments passed on Tuesday grant the general prosecutor, appointed by the president, strict control over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) of Ukraine and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. The vote came a day after Kyiv's domestic security agency arrested two NABU officials on suspicion of ties to Russia and conducted sweeping searches into agency employees on other grounds. Mr Zelensky, whose party holds a majority in parliament, approved the amendments late on Tuesday. Anti-corruption bodies would continue to function 'but without any Russian influence', the president said. Why are people protesting? Demonstrator Vladyslava Kirstyuk, 18, said memories of her childhood in occupied eastern Ukraine, after Russia's covert invasion in 2014, left a strong impression. 'I know what it means for one person to have all the power, when nothing is transparent and everything is working against you," she said. "I don't want it to be the same for us here.' Oleksiy Goncharenko, an opposition MP who voted against the measure, said the bill was 'about the end of the independence of anti-corruption bodies inside Ukraine', blaming the 'personal choice of President Zelensky'. What has been the reaction? The vote drew sharp criticism from the heads of both agencies and a top EU official, and spurred the largest public protests since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Writing on X, EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos said she was "seriously concerned" by Tuesday's vote. "The dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU's independence is a serious step back," she said, adding that rule of law was at "the very centre" of EU accession talks. Benjamin Haddad, France's European Affairs minister, said it was not too late for Ukraine to reverse its decision to roll back the autonomy of two anti-corruption agencies at the centre of the country's reform drive. A Western diplomat familiar with Ukraine's reform effort described the developments as "the most dangerous moment" yet for the independence of anti-corruption authorities. "The Ukrainian side is testing the limits more and more," the person said, referring to the patience of Kyiv's allies. After the protests, Mr Zelensky met anti-corruption and security officials on Wednesday and promised the creation of a joint plan to fight corruption within two weeks. "We all hear what society is saying. We see what people expect from state institutions and ensured justice and the effective functioning of each institution,' he said.
The Guardian
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Will the Epping hotel riots spark another summer of unrest?
After an asylum seeker staying at a hotel in Epping was charged with sexual assault, the past two weeks have brought a series of escalating and violent demonstrations from local residents and far-right agitators. On Sunday came the most serious unrest yet, with about 1,000 people gathering outside the hotel, escalating into what local police called 'mindless thuggery'. Ben Quinn, a senior reporter at the Guardian, was at the scene and describes to Helen Pidd how the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, reacted at a press conference the next day: Farage: Do I understand how people in Epping feel? You bet your life I do. Nick Lowles, the chief executive of the anti-racism organisation Hope Not Hate, says Epping has been a hotbed of far-right activity for years. He describes how the recent demonstrations have drawn nationalist activists from around the country but says that, despite that fact, local anger should not be ignored. Lowles believes that listening to residents and offering them a better future is the best way to counter the racist and violent narratives increasingly entering the mainstream. Support the Guardian today:
The Guardian
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
More than 100 arrested across UK at protests related to Palestine Action
More than 100 people have been arrested across the UK at events related to Palestine Action, in the third week of demonstrations since the group was banned as a terrorist organisation. Demonstrations were held in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and Truro on Saturday as part of a campaign coordinated by Defend Our Juries. In London's Parliament Square, beside the Mahatma Gandhi statue, police officers surrounded people at an event at which signs were held that read 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action'. Officers confiscated the placards and searched the bags of those arrested. Some people were carried away while others were led away in handcuffs. The Metropolitan police said 55 people had been arrested in Parliament Square under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 for displaying placards in support of Palestine Action. The force added a further nine people were arrested for supporting Palestine Action within a separate large-scale march to Whitehall by the Palestine Coalition. Defend Our Juries said on X: 'The UK government is complicit in Israel's genocide against Palestinians. They are attempting to silence those who expose this complicity.' A woman who was detained in Parliament Square said: 'We demand that Palestine Action is de-proscribed. 'Our government is not only arming a genocide, they are using terrorism laws to silence people who speak out. 'Palestine Action are campaigning for peace. They are dismantling weapons factories.' Greater Manchester police said they arrested 16 people, who remained in custody for questioning. Avon and Somerset police said 17 people were arrested during a protest in Bristol. At Truro Cathedral in Cornwall, eight people were arrested after protesters gathered to show support for Palestine Action. . Devon and Cornwall police said in a statement that about 30 protesters were involved in a 'peaceful' Defend Our Juries demonstration. 'A number of placards which were contrary to the law remained on display despite police advice,' the force said. 'Eight people, two men and six women, were arrested on suspicion of offences under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000. They remain in police custody.' At a high court hearing on Monday, the co-founder of Palestine Action, Huda Ammori, will ask for permission to challenge the home secretary's decision to ban the group under anti-terrorism laws. UN experts, civil liberties groups, cultural figures and hundreds of lawyers have condemned the ban as draconian and said it sets a dangerous precedent by conflating protest with terrorism. More than 70 people were arrested last week at demonstrations across the UK where references to Palestine Action were allegedly made. Police Scotland arrested a man in Glasgow on Friday 'for displaying a sign expressing support for a proscribed organisation'. The sign read 'Genocide in Palestine, time to take action' with the words 'Palestine' and 'action' larger than the others. Another man wearing a T-shirt with the same slogan was charged with a similar offence last weekend at the TRNSMT music festival in Glasgow. The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced plans to ban Palestine Action last month, days after activists from the group broke into RAF Brize Norton and defaced two military aircraft with spray paint. The ban means Palestine Action has become the first direct action protest group to be banned under the Terrorism Act, placing it in the same category as Islamic State, al-Qaida and the far-right group National Action. The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know. If you have something to share on this subject you can contact us confidentially using the following methods. Secure Messaging in the Guardian app The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said. If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select 'Secure Messaging'. SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post See our guide at for alternative methods and the pros and cons of each.
