Ukraine women activists strip to protest Euro 2012

Activists of the Ukrainian feminist group FEMEN stage a protest near the Olympiyskiy stadium in Kiev, Ukraine.

Sergey Dolzhenko/EPA/Landov

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) -- Ukrainian women's rights activists have staged a topless demonstration at Kiev's Olympic Stadium to protest what they say are attempts to legalize prostitution during the 2012 European Championship.

Five members of the Femen group chanted slogans and displayed banners criticizing tournament organizer UEFA.

Femen spokeswoman Inna Shevchenko says UEFA is "trying to influence our government'' to legalize prostitution during the June 8-July 1 tournament. UEFA is making the draw Friday.

Kiev police arrived at the gates of the downtown stadium five minutes later.

The women were dragged into a police vehicle and driven away.

Femen has established an international reputation for staging protests in Ukraine and abroad.

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