Kiev describes Right Sector leader's statement as threat to stability

World March 26, 1:44 UTC+4

KIEV, March 26, 1:02 /ITAR-TASS/. Right Sector leader Dmitry Yarosh's statement, which contains a threat to avenge Right Sector activist Alexander Muzychko, killed in a shoot-out with law enforcers on Tuesday, "is lawless and threatens stability in all regions of Ukraine", Viktoria Syumar, deputy secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council (SNBO), said at a meeting with journalists on Tuesday.

"Any threats addressed to the the Head of the Interior Ministry, any threats to use force are lawless and jeopardize stability in all regions of Ukraine, including that in Kiev, irrespective of the whereabouts of the Right Sector," she said, adding that "a special investigation will be carried out" into the fact of Muzychko's death.

Earlier Tuesday, Yarosh demanded resignation of the Interior Minister and arrest of those members of the special unit Sokol (falcon), who were involved in the detention of Muzychko who is known as "Sashko Bilyi".

The details of the operation aimed at apprehending Muzychko on the outskirts of the city of Rovno were given on Tuesday at a press conference by Vladimir Yevdokimov, Ukraine's First Deputy Minister of the Interior. He said members of the organized-crime group (OCG) had committed crimes in the territory of Rovno Region and in several other regions. On March 8, investigators initiated criminal proceedings against Muzychko under the provisions of Ukraine's Criminal Code article envisaging responsibility for rowdy behaviour, as well as for threats or violence against law enforcers. On March 12, Muzychk was put on a wanted list.

Yevdokomov said that during the special operation to apprehend and neutralize OCG members, the personnel of Sokol a special unit of the Interior Ministry's regional directorate, the job of which is to provide security support to operational search activities apprehended Muzychko's bodyguards who were armed with Kalashnikov automatic rifles and Makarov pistols. Myzychko himself sought to flee and opened fire on militiamen. One member of the special unit was wounded. The unit personnel had to use firearms.

Yevdokimov also pointed out that signs of a crime listed in Article 257 (banditry) were perceived in the actions of the detained OCG members. "Facts of lawless actions are galore," Yevdokimov emphasized.