16:26 20.11.2017

Interpol takes former Interior Minister Zakharchenko, his ex-dpty Ratushniak off Interpol wanted list

2 min read
Interpol takes former Interior Minister Zakharchenko, his ex-dpty Ratushniak off Interpol wanted list

 Head of Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office's (PGO) department for special investigations Serhiy Horbatiuk has said a month ago Interpol took former Ukrainian Interior Minister Vitaliy Zakharchenko and his ex-deputy Viktor Ratushniak off its wanted list. Both men were wanted in Ukraine for embezzlement.

"Interpol categorically refuses to put any ex-official involved in combating Maidan on its wanted list. They say these crimes committed during the change of power show signs of political persecution," Horbatiuk said in an interview published by the Kyiv-based Focus magazine.

"They put 'goons' ('titushki') on the wanted list, but not anyone connected with the authorities, from a regular riot policeman (Berkutovets) to former high-ranking officials. Moreover, a month ago, Zakharchenko and his deputy were taken off Interpol's wanted list," the official said.

Horbatiuk said Ukrainian prosecutors have for months tried to solve the problem, without success.

"Our requests are always refused," he said.

Horabtiuk said Interpol recently refused to issue a "Blue Notice" on the fugitive.

"A Red Notice means all Interpol country measures must arrest the person. A Blue Notice means Interpol must report his or her whereabouts. We have bilateral agreements with many European countries about extradition. When we learn that a fugitive has entered a country, we ask the authorities there to detain him, providing the necessary documents. But our requests were turned down in Ukraine's Interpol office, not even Interpol's main office," Horbatiuk said.

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