11:43 27.02.2015

Recent clashes near National Bank building being probed – Ukrainian interior minister

2 min read
Recent clashes near National Bank building being probed – Ukrainian interior minister

Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has announced the opening of a criminal investigation into Thursday's clash between police and protesters outside the National Bank building in Kyiv.

"I ordered an investigation into those events. Its results will be made public no later than in 48 hours. A commission headed by two deputy interior ministers – Eka Zguladze and Serhiy Yarovy – will work. As for my negotiations with protesters near the National Bank last night, we agreed that demonstrators would provide photo-, video- and other materials in order to ensure an impartial inquiry. A criminal case was opened into the clashes," Avakov wrote on Facebook.

"Following a prompt inquiry immediately after the events, I decided to dismiss the head of Kyiv's Pechersky district police department and suspend his deputy for public security pending conclusions of the investigative commission," he said.

"The country's gold and forex reserves are stored at the National Bank building. Any destabilization around this building creates a huge risk of destabilization on a national scale," the Ukrainian interior minister said.

Avakov promised to ask the National Bank governor and Ukraine's ministers in charge of economic issues to resolve the problem that triggered the February 26 protest.

The minister called on people who attended the action to "behave appropriately."

Avakov also apologized for "the unprofessional conduct of police during that situation and the disgusting scene near the National Bank building."

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