Interpol Issues Arrest Warrant for Former Ukrainian President

On Monday, January 22, Interpol issued an arrest warrant for Viktor Yanukovych, the former President of Ukraine. According to AFP, the 64-year-old Yanukovych, who is accused of embezzling state assets and corruption, fled Ukraine in February last year following widespread protests that led to the overthrow of his government. Since then, the former president has been living in Russia. He and some of his family members have been accused of accumulating vast wealth during his presidency. Oleksandr, one of Yanukovych's sons, who was a dentist, reportedly amassed nearly $500 million through coal trading. Ukraine ranks 144th out of 177 countries in the International Transparency Index. Meanwhile, the Russian news agency Interfax reported from Moscow that the Russian government is prepared to respond to Interpol's request if it receives the warrant. An 'informed source' told the news agency that Russia is ready to consider the extradition request for Viktor Yanukovych and his relatives. The source added, 'If such a request is received from official authorities, Russia will review it based on international and domestic laws. However, the extradition request is likely to be rejected.' The source also noted that Russian officials see 'clear political motives' in the 'judicial persecution' of former Ukrainian leaders. The source added, 'According to international and Russian domestic laws, individuals who are prosecuted for political motives cannot be extradited to other countries.' Interfax quoted the Ukrainian Interior Minister as saying that Viktor Yanukovych and Mykola Azarov are on Interpol's wanted list. A special Interpol commission has placed the former president of Ukraine, his son Oleksandr Yanukovych, former Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, and other senior former Ukrainian officials on the wanted list. Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov wrote on Facebook on Monday: 'The individuals on the international wanted list with a red notice for arrest and extradition to Ukraine include: Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych, Oleksandr Viktorovych Yanukovych, Mykola Yanovych, Raisa Vasilyevna Bogatyrova, Vyacheslav Kolobov, former Minister of Finance of Ukraine, and Gennady Batyuk, former head of the Ukrainian telecommunications company.'