Leader of Ukrainian opposition urges government to stop political repression

The Party of Regions, headed by Victor Yanukovich, demanded the persecution of dissenters in Ukraine should be stopped. The statement of the Party was promulgated on Thursday.

Political council of the Party expressed a resolute protest against the violation of human rights and appealed to democratic forces of Ukraine to "coordinate actions for the recovery of stability and civil peace in the country".

"Last events in Ukraine force us to determine our attitude towards the new authorities. Pre-election declared principles of transparency, frankness, honesty, publicity - all this was just a cover for a populism and "revolutionary expediency", based on the seizure of the Power, getting even with opponents, heading for a personal enrichment", - the document says.

The statement says that persecution of dissenters, pressure upon the freedom of speech takes place in the country. The principle "those who are not with us are against us" gives rise to fears and desperation in the society", - the document says.

As it was earlier informed, yesterday the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine has detained Anatoliy Zhukinskiy, the Head of Ternopol Regional Council. Legal proceedings against Zhukinskiy were instituted as regards large-scale embezzlement of State property. This was the second detention of the Head of Regional Council in Ukraine. At the beginning of April Boris Kolesnikov, the Head of Donetsk Regional Council was detained. The event caused broad social response. Mass actions with a demand to release Kolesnikov were held in Donetsk and Kiev.

Opposition and Victor Yanukovitch, in particular, stated that Kolesnikov’s case is purely political.