Protesters Picket Ukrainian Journalist's Appeals Hearing

Police eventually forcibly dispersed the antigovernment protest in Kyiv on December 1.

KYIV -- About 50 protesters are picketing the building of Kyiv's Court of Appeals, where hearings are being held into the appeal of a journalist detained in connection with recent political protests.

The protesters are chanting, "Freedom to political prisoners!"

Journalist Valeriy Harahuts is one of several people arrested for allegedly organizing antigovernment protests on Bankovaya Street near the presidential administration office in Kyiv on December 1.

One of the protesters, Oleksandr Solontay, told RFE/RL that protest actions to support the "prisoners of Bankovaya Street" will also be held in other Ukrainian towns and cities.

On December 1, security officers and protesters upset with the government over its failure to sign a key EU accord clashed in front of the presidential administration.

Several protesters were arrested.