Ukrainian military prosecutor considers Right Sector illegal armed formation

KIEV, February 2. /TASS/. Ukrainian volunteer corps Right Sector (an extremist organization banned in Russia) is, in legal terms, an illegal armed formation, Ukraine’s chief military prosecutor Anatoly Matios said in an interview with Hromadske Radio.

"In line with all legal constructions, signs and in line with the Ukrainian Constitution, Right Sector is… an illegal armed formation on the state’s territory," the Apostrof publication quoted Matios as saying.

He said this "is the only volunteer battalion that has not made up its mind for two years: whether it is above the state or with the right to use the state’s monopoly to use weapons on the entire territory [of Ukraine]."

Matios called Right Sector fighters the country’s patriots, but underscored that "the use of patriots for political goals without mentioning state positions is the breakdown of the state’s foundations."

"A certain part, even with the slogans of patriotism, can’t hide with weapons in the rear and shoot police checkpoints. Whether the police are right or not is the issue of the law and its enforcement," he said.

Matios said that if the authorities cover up "criminal offenses" with patriotism "chaos will emerge in Ukraine."