KIEV, May 06. /ITAR-TASS/. Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office has initiated a motion to strip Oleh Tsariov, a member of the Verkhovna Rada (national parliament) with the Party of Regions, of his parliamentary immunity, deputy head of the Ukrainian president’s administration Andriy Senchenko said on Tuesday.

“A request to this effect was submitted to the parliament but has not yet been considered,” he said.

A number of criminal cases have been initiated against Tsarev over his statements urging federalization of the country.

Tsariov was registered as candidate for Ukrainian president in the snap presidential elections scheduled for May 25. However he withdrew from the race on May 1.

Earlier, Tsariov’s press service said that he  has withdrawn from the presidential race. 

“I believe that whereas the self-appointed central authorities in Kiev are working to split the country, Ukrainian regions can make real steps to save the country,” he said. “Maintaining contacts and speaking to each other bypassing the puppet Kiev authorities they can reach a better understanding. By the Kiev authorities, in violation of all democratic norms, have stripped me off this possibility. It is real risk to my life to try to come to Kiev to address the Ukraine-wide audience, whereas the possibility of my participating in televised debates on UT-1 television channel by means of a TV link-up has been turned down.” 

“That is why I have taken the decision to withdraw from elections, since the status of a candidate is inefficient in such conditions,” Tsariov stressed.