Protests banned as Ukraine marks Orange anniversary

Police on Tuesday fenced off the epicentre of the 2004 Orange Revolution and banned protests as a sombre Ukraine marked seven years since the popular uprising amid growing political tensions. Security forces manned barricades around Kiev’s Independence Square, known locally as the Maidan where tens of thousands gathered daily from Nov.22, 2004 to contest the results of rigged elections held the day before. The pro-democracy street protests overturned the results of the polls and spawned hope of a new European future for the country under president Viktor Yushchenko and his former ally Yulia Tymoshenko. Tymoshenko now sits in prison serving a seven year sentence after being convicted of abuse of power while serving as prime minister. Her supporters plan to mark the day by holding a rally outside her prison cell. The Orange movement itself meanwhile is in tatters with the country headed by its great rival Viktor Yanukovych while the country’s chances of joining the European Union have been damaged by Tymoshenko’s prosecution. The authorities officially explained their decision to install metal fences and send riot police to guard the Maidan by a plan to put up a New Year’s tree and provide security