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Ex-Ukrainian commander denies giving order to shoot Maidan protesters

In March 2014, Former commander of interior forces of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry Svyatoslav Shulyak was put on a wanted list after being accused of abusing power

© Mikhail Pochuyev/ITAR-TASS

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Yanukovich says Maidan shooting is part of operation to topple Ukraine’s authorities

ROSTOV-ON-DON/KIEV, December 2. /TASS/. Former commander of interior forces of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry Svyatoslav Shulyak confirmed on Friday that he gave no order to open fire at participants of Maidan events in Kiev in the winter of 2014.

"I didn’t give the order as this was not needed then. The actions of law enforcers are defined by the law and also in the sphere of using special means," Shulyak said during a video conference between Kiev’s Svyatoshinsky court and the Rostov District Court.

During last Friday’s press conference of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, Shulyak stressed that "giving such an order meant signing one’s own death warrant."

Shulyak led the interior forces of Ukraine’s Interior Ministry between May 2012 and February 2014. In March 2014, Shulyak was put on a wanted list after being accused of abusing power, resulting in severe consequences, and desertion.

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