Tymoshenko supporters set up tent city in Kiev

Supporters of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko continued their protest on Saturday on Kreshchatik, the central street of the Ukrainian capital Kiev. Tymoshenko was arrested on Friday in accordance with a ruling by the Pechersky District Court in Kiev.  1

1/6

© RIA Novosti . Grigory Vasylenko

/

Go to the mediabank

Protesters spent the night in a tent city they set up on Friday evening at the spot where the former prime minister’s supporters held rallies during court sessions on the gas affair.

2/6

© RIA Novosti . Timur Ibraimov

On Saturday morning, police cordoned off the tents with metal shields, leaving a narrow passage for pedestrians.

3/6

© RIA Novosti . Grigory Vasylenko

/

Go to the mediabank

The tents bear notices saying that they house the reception offices of various people’s deputies.

4/6

© RIA Novosti . Grigory Vasylenko

/

Go to the mediabank

Protesters say this was done to prevent the police from removing the tents.

5/6

© RIA Novosti . Grigory Vasylenko

/

Go to the mediabank

This tent-village is home to several dozen people. Protesters say they plan to stay on until Tymoshenko is released from custody.

6/6

© RIA Novosti . Timur Ibraimov

Tymoshenko was Ukraine’s prime minister in 2005 and 2007-2010. The country’s Prosecutor General’s Office accuses her of abuse of office when she concluded a Russian gas supply contract in 2009. Tymoshenko was under a written pledge not to leave the city. But on Friday, Kiev’s Pechersky District Court ruled to arrest her.