U.S., European officials denounce Inter TV attack:
By RFE/RL
The United States and European authorities have denounced an arson attack on a pro-Russian Ukrainian television station, calling such violence "unacceptable."
"Any physical attack on the media is unacceptable," the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv tweeted on September 5 after five people were hurt in a fire at the Inter TV headquarters on September 4.
"We support efforts to investigate the torching of Inter, and are carefully watching its consequences," the U.S. consul said.
Ukrainian authorities said they arrested six people in connection with the fire, which apparently was set off by a smoke bomb thrown into the building.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's media-freedom representative also strongly condemned the attack.
"Violence is never an acceptable response to disagreements with editorial policy, even if the reporting is seen as provocative and controversial," Dunja Mijatovic said.
Mijatovic said she was "encouraged" by the swift law enforcement response and the condemnation of the attack by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Ukraine's journalism union.
But she noted that other Kyiv officials and groups have accused the broadcaster of disloyalty to Ukraine and are seeking to suppress its reporters. (w/AFP)
This ends our live blogging for September 5. Be sure to check back tomorrow for our continuing coverage.
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UPDATE: Several injured in Inter TV fire:
Five people were reportedly hurt when a fire broke at a Ukrainian television station in Kyiv.
TV Inter's headquarters caught fire on September 4 after a group of around 20 protesters gathered outside the building and set tires afire and threw them in the building.
Reports say that several employees were treated for carbon-monoxide poisoning while another suffered a broken leg, according to an Inter statement.
Kyiv police official Andrei Krishenko said witnesses indicated a smoke bomb was thrown into the building.
Authorities said they had arrested six people in connection with the fire.
The station continued broadcasting from mobile facilities outside the building.
The station is widely regarded by many Ukrainians as being pro-Russia. The affiliation of the protesters was not clear.
A conflict in eastern Ukraine between Russia-backed separatists and Ukrainian troops has killed more than 9,500 people. (AP, Interfax, TASS)