As the video clip shows, legislators began throwing punches, grabbing shirts and tackling each other when arguments began to escalate over the bill.
The bill would allow the use of the Russian language in courts, hospitals and other official institutions in the regions where Russian-speakers comprise more than 10 per cent of the population, according to AP. “Pro-government lawmakers, who draw their support from the Russian-speaking south and east of Ukraine, say it will allow people living there to use the language of their preferences.”
At least one politician, opposition lawmaker Mykola Petruk, was sent to the hospital with blood streaming down his face after an apparent blow to the head, according to media reports.
This isn’t the first fight to break out in the Ukrainian parliament. “In one widely televised debacle in April 2010, opposition lawmakers were seen throwing eggs and smoke bombs to protest against a naval pact with Russia,” it’s been reported. This fight was previously covered on Digital Journal.
More photos of the injured politicians and the fight in action can be found here.
