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25Feb14

Parliament in Ukraine Votes to Give Yanukovych ICC Trial

Ukraine's parliament approved a resolution Tuesday to have deposed President Viktor Yanukovych tried at the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

Under the motion, approved by 324 deputies in the 450-seat chamber, top officials who have been linked to the killing of protesters in the period from late November through to last week should face prosecution at the tribunal.

"The main purpose of this resolution is to ensure an independent investigation and punishment of those responsible of crimes against humanity in Ukraine," according to a note attached to the motion.

The group of politicians that has been running the country since Yanukovych was ousted Saturday by parliamentary decree accuses the former president of direct responsibility in the death of dozens of protesters during clashes with police last week.

Political unrest erupted in Ukraine in November when Yanukovych's government indefinitely postponed the signing of free trade and association deals with the European Union to instead focus on strengthening ties with Russia.

European officials at the time accused Moscow of applying pressure on Kiev to back away from the EU trade deal, which the Kremlin has argued would serve to harm Russia's own economy.

The street protests culminated in deadly clashes between police and protesters in Kiev last week in which around 100 people were killed, prompting deputies to vote to impeach Yanukovych over the weekend.

Yanukovych is now being sought on charges of mass murder. His current whereabouts are unknown.

[Source: Ria Novosti, Kiev, 25Feb14]
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Ukraine Unrest
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