Pro-Russian demonstrators in Ukraine’s Crimea have been holding a rally outside the regional parliament.<br /><br />They chanted “Russia” and “Berkut”, the name of Ukraine’s notorious special forces recently disbanded by the new government.<br /><br />The parliament building remains occupied by protesters who seized it on Thursday, raising a Russian flag above it.<br /><br />Some MPs were allowed into parliament and voted to hold a referendum on greater autonomy for Crimea later in the year.<br /><br />The referendum would ask people if Crimea should be part of Ukraine or have state independence.<br /><br />One supporter outside parliament told euronews: “I am for the independence. I am for an independent Crimea. I am against fascism. I think it is not right that some groups of people decide instead of us. They seized power. We did not elect neither Yatseniuk nor Turchinov.”<br /><br />Another said: “I think we should hold it [referendum] now, immediately. Call urgent session, urgent decision here and now. In two months I think it is nonsense. It is complete nonsense.”<br /><br />Sergio Cantone, euronews correspondent in Ukraine said: “Through this referendum – that would grant more autonomy to the Crimean republic – the situation has turned into a kind of chess game between Moscow and Kyiv. Moscow has just made its move here in Crimea, now the next step from the new Kyiv government is being waited for.
