KIEV, Jan. 20 – Repressive legislation signed by President Viktor Yanukovych on Friday was published Tuesday by the government’s official newspapers, opening way for new attacks on protesters and a further escalation of street clashes in Ukraine.

The controversial move comes hours after Yanukovych had suggested he was ready for talks with protesters in order to find a compromise that would end two months of protests.

Protesters believe the legislation, which allows the authorities to shut independent media, deny access to internet, punish reporters, control non-government organizations and jail protesters, de-facto turns Ukraine into a totalitarian state.

Uriadoviy Kuryer, the official newspaper of the government, and Holos Ukrayiny, the official newspaper of Parliament, printed the legislation. According to Ukrainian law, the legislation comes into effect immediately after it’s published by the official newspapers.

The approval of the legislation on January 16 - via a controversial show of hands and without proper vote counting - triggered the worst clashes between protesters and police since Ukraine’s independence in 1991.

The clashes turned Kiev’s downtown Hrushevskoho Street - one block from the government’s offices - into a war zone scene on Sunday.

The published legislation, which also bans protesters from wearing helmets and gas masks during protests, has little respect among protesters. Some officials figures said they won’t adhere to the laws.

Viktor Anushkevychus, the mayor of Ivano Frankivsk, said he will not follow the laws, which have been approved in illegal fashion and are aimed at repression against the people.

“I do not consider valid these laws that have been approved by the show of hands, violating regulations and the constitution,” Anushkevychus said. “I have no intention of following them.”

"I'm not afraid of prison,” he said. “They won’t put everyone in a jail.”

Dozens of people were injured since the clashes began Sunday. The Interior Ministry said its officers had the right to use firearms to defend themselves. Ukrainian General Prosecutor Viktor Pshonka called attacks on police “a crime against the state.”

“I will apply all efforts to ensure public order, defend the rights of peaceful citizens and will use all legal and other means envisaged by the laws of Ukraine and other measures to guarantee civic peace and security of all our compatriots,” Yanukovych said in a statement.

Vitali Klitschko, the leader of the opposition Udar party, on Monday called on his supporters to join the protest.

“I call on all citizens and patriots to defend their country and their future,” Klitschko said in a video address. “Get in cars, minibuses, buses. You’re needed here so that Ukraine wins and not Yanukovych.” (tl/ws/ez)