KIEV (Ukraine), May 22: Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov on Wednesday ordered a group of journalists to be stripped of their accreditation after they staged a protest at his cabinet meeting against the beating of two colleagues at a weekend demonstration.

After Azarov opened the cabinet meeting several journalists covering the event turned their backs on him to reveal signs stuck to their backs with slogans in support of their beaten colleagues.

“Today, it’s the journalist! Tomorrow it’s your wife, sister, daughter. Act!,” read the slogans, urging the government to punish those responsible.

A total of nine reporters had the signs pinned to their back and all involved in the action now risk being hit by the accreditation ban.

The journalists complained that the police had failed to prevent the May 18 attack which they said was backed by ruling party supporters.

“What kind of concert is this? Leave the meeting!” Azarov said furiously.

“Write their names down and strip them of their accreditation,” he told his aides.

“We respect the work of journalists but do not turn the meeting into a circus,” he added. The press service of Azarov later said they were still dealing with the matter.

About half of the group of reporters involved were members of the government pool which regularly covers Azarov.

Two journalists were beaten up during clashes that erupted on Saturday in Kiev in rival demonstrations staged by opposition supporters and activists from the ruling Regions Party.—AFP