Protesters clash with police in Kiev after anti-protest legislation

Hundreds of protesters clashed with riot police in Kiev on Sunday in a rally opposing new laws aimed at stamping out anti-government demonstrations.

Up to 100 000 Ukrainians gathered Sunday in the center of Kiev to show their disagreement at the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation.

Last week, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich approved a controversial batch of laws banning unsanctioned gatherings and imposing restrictions on mass demonstrations, civic activism and free speech.

The laws, approved by the Ukrainian parliament on Thursday, were denounced by opposition leaders, who described them as unconstitutional.