New twist in Ukraine’s political crisis

There has been a deepening of the political crisis in Ukraine, after the Prosecutor General, who had been sacked by the President, was helped back to his desk by force. Riot police accompanied the prosecutor, Svyatoslav Piskun and the Interior Minister Vasyl Tsushko back to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Kiev.

Both men are loyal to the Prime Minister. President Viktor Yushchenko and the PM, Viktor Yanukovich have long been at odds. This is the latest episode in a row over the President’s dissolving of parliament, and his calling new elections. The pro-Western President accused Tsushko of a criminal act, by using force to solve a political conflict.

Tsushko accused the President of attempting a coup by sacking the prosecutor. The Prime Minister said the dismissal of the prosecutor was groundless, and could have led to catastrophic consequences. He said his government would not allow anarchy or civil war in Ukraine.

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