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Arrest warrant issued for Viktor Yanukovych (video)

Politics
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Ukraine has issued a warrant for the arrest of ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, the interim interior minister has announced, BBC reports. MPs voted on Saturday to oust Mr Yanukovych after months of protest sparked by his rejection of an EU deal. Arsen Avakov said on Facebook that a criminal case had been opened against Mr Yanukovych and other officials over "mass murder of peaceful citizens". MPs voted to remove Mr Yanukovych on Saturday after months of protest sparked by his rejection of an EU deal. A crackdown on the protests last week left dozens dead. "An official case for the mass murder of peaceful citizens has been opened," said Mr Avakov. "Yanukovych and other people responsible for this have been declared wanted." The statement said Mr Yanukovych was last seen in Balaklava on the Crimean peninsula on Sunday, but that he had left by car for an unknown destination, accompanied by an aide. Before leaving Balaklava he gave his state-appointed security detail the choice to leave him, with many choosing to do so, the statement said. It did not say which other figures were covered by the warrant. Mr Avakov - a key opposition figure - was appointed interim interior minister on Saturday, in a day of fast-paced events in parliament. On May 25, the country will elect a new president.