Topless Protesters Target Ukraine Rapists

'Death for sadists' in brutal gang rape, says Femen group
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 18, 2012 11:25 PM CDT
Updated Mar 19, 2012 2:19 AM CDT
Topless Protesters Target Ukraine Rapists
A topless Ukrainian activist of the group "Femen" shouts as she stages a protest at the entrance of the Versace Women's fashion show last month.   (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Topless demonstrators scaled the Ukraine general prosecutor's office building to protest the handling of a case involving a gang-raped teenager who was dumped in a ditch and set aflame. "We want to scare men who think they can treat women like animals. We want to let the world know what is happening in this country and to stop it," said a protester. Members of the group, Femen, hoisted placards saying "Death for sadists" and "Execute the bastards," reports ABC News. Victim Oksana Makra, 18, was discovered the day after she was gang-raped by three men moaning in pain in a charred sheet. One of her arms and both feet had to be amputated, and more than 50% of her skin was burned. The horrific attack has triggered calls for the death penalty for her attackers.

Two of three suspects—sons of former government officials—were initially released after their arrest because prosecutors said they didn't have enough evidence to hold them. One of them had described the attack in detail in a YouTube video, according to ABC. Following a national uproar, the two were arrested again and charged with attempted murder. Yesterday's demonstration was the most recent protest by Femen members, who have taken to the streets in Istanbul, Moscow, at Davos in Switzerland, and Belarus. The group was founded in the Ukraine four years ago, and has expanded its causes beyond feminist issues. (More Ukraine stories.)

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