4,500 people protesting near Rada building in Kyiv, situation calm, - Kyiv Police Head Kryshchenko

Head of the Main Department of the National Police in Kyiv Andrii Kryshchenko said about 4,500 people have gathered for a protest at the Rada building as of noon Tuesday, Oct. 17.

Kryshchenko told journalists, Censor.NET reports.

"Everything is calm. We are seeing some 4,500 protesters at the Rada building and 1,500 more near the NBU [National Bank - ed.]. The number of law enforcers has not changed - 3,500 persons. Filtration measures are being taken. Selective checkups are held. No conflicts or detentions," Kryshchenko said.

The police chief said that if the situation escalates, the police is ready to react adequately.

As reported, a protest with a request to hold a political reform in Ukraine is being held Oct. 17 at Verkhovna Rada building in Kyiv. Organizers of the protest say the key demands are to change the system of election in Ukraine, including a shift to proportional election system with open candidates list, restriction of political advertising on TV, creation of anti-corruption court, and restriction of parliamentary immunity.

Former Odesa governor Mikheil Saakashvili said that if the MPs do not fulfill the protesters' demands on Oct. 17, some of them might stay at the Rada building for indefinite protest. SBU reported earlier it had prevented a possible provocation during Oct. 17 mass events in Kyiv.