Amid ongoing protests in a central Kiev square, Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich signed a bill restricting citizens' liberties on Thursday. Protests began after Yanukovich turned away from an agreement with the European Union two months ago and rekindled relations with Moscow. This report indicates the bill's provisions include a penalty of five years in prison for blockading a public building and rebrand NGOs that receive foreign aid as "foreign agents." The Ukrainian president also assailed free speech, punishing the propagation of Internet "slander" with one year of corrective labor. Leaders within the EU denounced the reforms as "undemocratic" and hinted at diplomatic consequences. Ukraine's rebuke of Western Europe and its ideals will have ramifications felt by citizens across Europe and beyond.
Posted by Colin Wescott
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