KYIV -- Some 10,000 Kyiv residents have protested against increased taxes that are being levied on various services by the city's Mayor Leonid Chernovetsky.
Among the most controversial increases are utility costs for small and mid-sized businesses that have risen by nearly 50 percent.
The mayor's office has also issued a decree forcing kiosk vendors to use a new model of booth mandated by the city government.
Another controversial plan is a traffic congestion charge that Chernovetsky plans to implement by 2010.
The protesters closed down traffic on Kyiv's central boulevard, Khreshchatyk, for some three hours before being dispersed by authorities.
Among the most controversial increases are utility costs for small and mid-sized businesses that have risen by nearly 50 percent.
The mayor's office has also issued a decree forcing kiosk vendors to use a new model of booth mandated by the city government.
Another controversial plan is a traffic congestion charge that Chernovetsky plans to implement by 2010.
The protesters closed down traffic on Kyiv's central boulevard, Khreshchatyk, for some three hours before being dispersed by authorities.