Ukraine Police Break Up Tax Protest Tent Camp

Ukrainian police keep tax protesters under tight watch after shutting down their tent camp in downtown Kyiv on December 3.

Ukrainian police have broken up a tent encampment in downtown Kyiv erected by opponents of planned tax rises on small- and medium-sized businesses.

Demonstrations against a government plan to increase taxes on businesses began three weeks ago across the country, with the largest protests taking place in the capital.

Ukrainian President Vitktor Yanukovych vetoed an early version of the bill on November 30, in a concession to the protesters.

Ukraine's parliament passed a revised version of the tax code late on December 2, but the protest continued.

Critics of the bill have said the laws would give tax breaks to major industry, while increasing tax audits and operating fees on smaller businesses.

compiled from local and international agency reports