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Derechos | Equipo Nizkor
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Derechos | Equipo Nizkor
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22Feb14
Viktor Yanukovych denounces 'coup' as he leaves Kiev
President Viktor Yanukovych said a coup was underway against him after he left Kiev for an eastern stronghold and the country's parliament debated a motion calling for his resignation.
The resolution said that Mr Yanukovych "is removing himself (from power) because he is not fulfilling his obligations, and (that parliament) is setting elections for May 25."
In a televised statement on Saturday, he said he had no intention of resigning or leaving Ukraine, comparing the country's political crisis to the rise of the Nazis in the 1930s.
The embattled leader spoke from the eastern city of Kharkiv, the heartland of his support, where he appears to have fled earlier on Saturday, abandoning his presidential residence and offices.
The opposition quickly seized control of both buildings, while the police announced they stood "with the people" and wanted "rapid changes".
Allies of the jailed former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko were appointed as parliamentary speaker and interim interior minister, as a revolution seemed to be gathering pace following days of bloody clashes.
But earlier reports of Ms Tymoshenko's release from jail proved premature as aides said she remained in prison.
The government, still led by an ally of Mr Yanukovych, said it would ensure a smooth handover of power to a new administration. But the moves incensed authorities in eastern, Russian-speaking regions loyal to the president, which challenged the parliament's legitimacy and said they were taking full control of their territories.
Regional leaders meeting in Kharkiv adopted a resolution declaring the central state organs "paralysed".
"Until the constitutional order and lawfulness are restored ... we have decided to take responsibility for safeguarding the constitutional order, legality, citizens' rights and their security on our territories," the resolution said.
Thousands of protesters remained on Kiev's Independence Square to demand Mr Yanukovych resign immediately, sceptical of Friday's European Union-brokered accord under which Mr Yanukovych agreed to give up powers, hold early elections by the end of the year and form a government of national unity.
But the security forces that have been a constant and heavy presence in the capital throughout the three month crisis were nowhere to be seen.
At the residence, 10 miles outside the capital, the opposition seized control as large crowds gathered at the gates. Amid fears of looting, protesters were for the moment being kept outside the compound. But in a speech from the back of a struck a leader of the far right radical group Pravy Sektor (Right Sector) - who on Friday threatened the use of force if Mr Yanukovych did not resign - called an impromptu meeting to decide the future of the property.
In Kiev, protesters occupied the presidential adminstration building, telling reporters they had entered the compound easily without the use of force.
"He's not here, none of his officials or anyone linked directly to the administration are here," Ostap Kryvdyk, a protest leader, told a Reuters reporter inside the grounds of the offices. "We will guard the building until the next president comes," he said. "Yanukovych will never be back."
Vitaly Klitschko, leader of the UDAR opposition party, told parliament that the president had left Kiev and the country must hold early elections.
"Today he left the capital," Mr Klitschko said. "Millions of Ukrainians see only one choice - early presidential and parliamentary elections."
The right-hand man of Ms Tymoshenko, Oleksandr Turchynov, was elected to replace the pro-government parliamentary speaker after he announced his resignation on Saturday morning. Several parliamentarians said they were quitting Mr Yanuvkoych's ruling Regions Party in protest at the use of police force against protesters which has left up to 100 dead since Tuesday.
"Ukraine authorities are resuming their duties to stabilise the situation," Mr Turchynov told the parliament on his election to the leadership post.
On Independence Square, protesters vowed to stay put until Mr Yanukovych was gone from government.
"I believe parliament today will be dissolved and Yanukovich will be ousted," said 58-year-old protester Vasyl Lubarets.
[Source: By Hannah Strange, agencies, The Telegraph, London, 22Feb14]
 | This document has been published on 24Feb14 by the Equipo Nizkor and Derechos Human Rights. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. |