Ukraine Crisis: Opposition Takes Control of Presidential Compound as Viktor Yanukovych ‘Flees Kiev’
Kiev, 22 Feb 2014 (SDN) – Ukraine’s opposition on Saturday pushed for Viktor Yanukovych’s resignation as protesters seized the presidential residence and offices and the embattled leader appeared to have fled Kiev.
Allies of the jailed former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko were appointed as parliamentary speaker and interim interior minister, as a revolution seemed to be gathering pace following days of bloody clashes.
But earlier reports of Ms Tymoshenko’s release from jail proved premature as aides said she remained in prison.
Parliament debated an opposition resolution calling for the resignation of Mr Yanukovych, who disappeared from public view on Saturday, abandoning the presidential administration building and his residence just outside Kiev. Meanwhile the country’s police announced they stood “with the people” and wanted “rapid changes”.
The government, still led by an ally of Mr Yanukovych, said it would ensure a smooth handover of power to a new administration. But the moves incensed authorities in eastern, Russian-speaking regions loyal to the president, which challenged the parliament’s legitimacy and said they were taking full control of their territories.
Regional leaders meeting in the second city of Kharkov, a Yanukovych stronghold, adopted a resolution declaring the central state organs “paralysed”.
“Until the constitutional order and lawfulness are restored … we have decided to take responsibility for safeguarding the constitutional order, legality, citizens’ rights and their security on our territories,” the resolution said.
Thousands of protesters remained on Kiev’s Independence Square to demand Mr Yanukovych resign immediately, sceptical of Friday’s European Union-brokered accord under which Mr Yanukovych agreed to give up powers, hold early elections by the end of the year and form a government of national unity.
But the security forces that have been a constant and heavy presence in the capital throughout the three month crisis were nowhere to be seen.
At the residence, 10 miles outside the capital, the opposition seized control as large crowds gathered at the gates. Amid fears of looting, protesters were for the moment being kept outside the compound. But in a speech from the back of a struck a leader of the far right radical group Pravy Sektor (Right Sector) – who on Friday threatened the use of force if Mr Yanukovych did not resign – called an impromptu meeting to decide the future of the property.
In Kiev, protesters occupied the presidential adminstration building, telling reporters they had entered the compound easily without the use of force.
“He’s not here, none of his officials or anyone linked directly to the administration are here,” Ostap Kryvdyk, a protest leader, told a Reuters reporter inside the grounds of the offices. “We will guard the building until the next president comes,” he said. “Yanukovych will never be back.”
Vitaly Klitschko, leader of the UDAR opposition party, told parliament that the president had left Kiev and the country must hold early elections.
“Today he left the capital,” Mr Klitschko told an emergency session after submitting a resolution calling on Mr Yanukovych to resign. “Millions of Ukrainians see only one choice – early presidential and parliamentary elections.”
Mr Yanukovych left the capital on Saturday purportedly to visit the eastern city of Kharkiv, his main support base. It was unclear whether he had arrived, though an aide insisted he had not left the country.
The right-hand man of Ms Tymoshenko, Oleksandr Turchynov, was elected to replace the pro-government parliamentary speaker after he announced his resignation on Saturday morning. Several parliamentarians said they were quitting Mr Yanuvkoych’s ruling Regions Party in protest at the use of police force against protesters which has left up to 100 dead since Tuesday.
“Ukraine authorities are resuming their duties to stabilise the situation,” Mr Turchynov told the parliament on his election to the leadership post.
On Independence Square, protesters vowed to stay put until Mr Yanukovych was gone from government.
“I believe parliament today will be dissolved and Yanukovich will be ousted,” said 58-year-old protester Vasyl Lubarets.
Source: daily telegraph