Ukraine protesters face jail for insulting Indian flag

Kiev -  Women protesters who climbed topless onto the balcony of the Indian ambassador's residence in Kiev and tore down the national flag may be jailed, police said.

Activists from the Femen group were angry over the Indian foreign ministry's directives to thoroughly check Ukrainians aged 15 to 40 seeking to enter the country.

They alleged that the decision was meant to "weed out prostitutes" in search of a job, RIA Novosti reported. The incident took place last month.

Despite temperatures of minus 4 degrees Celsius, they were all topless.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian police have lodged cases of hooliganism and desecration of state symbols. No one was charged as of Friday evening.

Femen, media darlings due to their methods of protests, have been active since 2008, staging political protests in Ukraine and outside the country.

The group declared freedom of speech and protection of women's rights as its goals.

Its members never faced criminal cases before, getting away with fines or brief arrests.

According to Indian media reports, India's envoy to Ukraine Rajiv K. Chander was not at his residence when four women arrived in Indian attire and stripped to their waists before using a ladder to reach the second-floor balcony.

The women were holding placards that said: "Delhi, close your brothels" and "We demand apologies".