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Ukraine arrest warrant for ex-leader Yanukovych Ukraine arrest warrant for ex-leader Yanukovych
(35 minutes later)
Ukraine has issued a warrant for the arrest of ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, the interim interior minister has announced.Ukraine has issued a warrant for the arrest of ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, the interim interior minister has announced.
Arsen Avakov said on Facebook that a criminal case had been opened against Mr Yanukovych and other officials over "mass murder of peaceful citizens".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.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.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. Russia, furious at the loss of its political ally, has strongly condemned the parliamentary action, and has recalled its ambassador for consultation.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the opposition "had in effect seized power in Kiev, refused to disarm and continued to place its bets on violence".
Crimean protests
"An official case for the mass murder of peaceful citizens has been opened," Mr Avakov said in his statement.
"Yanukovych and other people responsible for this have been declared wanted.""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.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.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.It did not say which other figures were covered by the warrant.
Debt appeal Mr Avakov was appointed interim interior minister on Saturday, in a day of fast-paced events in parliament.
Mr Avakov - an key opposition figure - was appointed interim interior minister on Saturday, in a day of fast-paced events in parliament.
He replaced Vitaly Zakharchenko, who was sacked the day before after being blamed for the deaths of civilians in the crackdown on protesters.He replaced Vitaly Zakharchenko, who was sacked the day before after being blamed for the deaths of civilians in the crackdown on protesters.
Mr Avakov and Valentyn Nalyvaychenko, who was appointed by the interim authorities to oversee security matters, have travelled to Crimea to defuse tensions, according to media reports.
The peninsula is an autonomous region, where the majority of the population is ethnically Russian. It has seen protests against the overthrow of Mr Yanukovych.
Mr Avakov said it was "very important not to provoke anybody with excessive emotions", and that there should be "no repetition of the picture of confrontation that we saw in Kiev when the authorities went against the people".
"I think that through peaceful dialogue we can return everything to a state of calm," the 5 Kanal TV station quoted him as saying.
Looming debt crisis
The protests first began in late November when Mr Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.The protests first began in late November when Mr Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.
The health ministry says 88 people, mostly anti-Yanukovych protesters but also police, are now known to have been killed in last week's clashes.The health ministry says 88 people, mostly anti-Yanukovych protesters but also police, are now known to have been killed in last week's clashes.
Mr Yanukovych insisted on Saturday that he was still Ukraine's legitimate leader. But he had become increasingly isolated and parliament voted to impeach him and hold presidential elections in May.Mr Yanukovych insisted on Saturday that he was still Ukraine's legitimate leader. But he had become increasingly isolated and parliament voted to impeach him and hold presidential elections in May.
On the same day, thousands of protesters were able to walk unchallenged into official presidential buildings in the capital, and into Mr Yanukovych's home just north of Kiev, after police abandoned their posts.On the same day, thousands of protesters were able to walk unchallenged into official presidential buildings in the capital, and into Mr Yanukovych's home just north of Kiev, after police abandoned their posts.
Thousand of people remain in Kiev's Independence Square, the Maidan, where they have been protesting for months. Thousands of people remain in Kiev's Independence Square, the Maidan, where they have been protesting for months.
Correspondents say the atmosphere at the square is now largely calm, and it has become a shrine to the dead.Correspondents say the atmosphere at the square is now largely calm, and it has become a shrine to the dead.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is due to visit Kiev on Monday to discuss EU support "for a lasting solution to the political crisis and measures to stabilise the economic situation".EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is due to visit Kiev on Monday to discuss EU support "for a lasting solution to the political crisis and measures to stabilise the economic situation".
Meanwhile, the new interim Finance Minister, Yuriy Kolobov, has said Ukraine needs around $35bn (£21bn) in urgent foreign aid and asked for an international donors' conference to be held.Meanwhile, the new interim Finance Minister, Yuriy Kolobov, has said Ukraine needs around $35bn (£21bn) in urgent foreign aid and asked for an international donors' conference to be held.
Moscow recently agreed to provide $15bn to support Ukraine's struggling economy, a move seen as a reward for Mr Yanukovych's controversial decision last year not to sign the long-planned trade deal with the EU.Moscow recently agreed to provide $15bn to support Ukraine's struggling economy, a move seen as a reward for Mr Yanukovych's controversial decision last year not to sign the long-planned trade deal with the EU.
But there are fears Moscow could withdraw that offer. Ukraine has state debts of some $73bn, with around $6bn to be paid this year.But there are fears Moscow could withdraw that offer. Ukraine has state debts of some $73bn, with around $6bn to be paid this year.