Kiev court bans protests, stoking fears crackdown
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A court has banned rallies in the center of the Ukrainian capital, raising fears that the government was preparing to tear down a large protest encampment that has been the epicenter of anti-government protests for weeks.
The demonstrations broke out in November after President Viktor Yanukovych's abrupt decision to freeze ties with the European Union and seek better ties with Russia instead.
A Kiev court upheld a request by city authorities to ban large gatherings in the center of the capital until March 8. The ruling was dated Jan. 8 but only published on Wednesday.
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Opposition leaders charged that authorities were preparing to use force to disperse protesters on Independence Square, where several thousand people were gathered.
The Interior Ministry, however, issued a statement saying it has no such plans.