Ukraine: Far-right group rally planned in Kyiv March 9 /update 1

Event

The far-right group National Corps is slated to stage a demonstration in Kyiv on Saturday, March 9, to demand the arrests of National Security and Defense Council deputy Oleg Gladkovsky and other defense sector executives, including Igor Gladkovsky, for the their role in a defense-sector scandal. The group is also expected to rally in support of impeachment proceedings against  President Petro Proshenko. Protesters are expected to gather at Independence Square beginning at 12:00 (local time). Additional political rallies are possible in the coming weeks ahead of presidential elections on March 31. Heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions are expected around the demonstration site.

Context

National Corps members staged protests in Kozin on March 3 at the estate of Igor Gladovsky, throwing rocks at the residence and set fires at the entrances of the property. Allies of President Petro Poroshenko were recently implicated in an organized corruption scheme to smuggle military equipment from Russia in 2015 at inflated prices. Poroshenko relieved Gladkovsky of his duties on the National Security and Defense Council on February 25 in response to the allegations. Former prime minister and current member of parliament Yulia Tymoshenko, who is challenging the presidency, introduced impeachment proceedings against Poroshenko on February 26.

Advice

Individuals in Kyiv are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.