The Russian Investigative Committee has declared Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov and Dnipropetrovsk regional administration head Ihor Kolomoisky internationally wanted, Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin told Interfax on Saturday.
"Investigative Committee investigators have issued a directive on declaring Arsen Avakov and Ihor Kolomoisky wanted in a criminal case dealing with the use of prohibited means and methods of warfare, aggravated murder, the obstruction of professional activities of journalists, and abduction. This directive has been forwarded to the Interior Ministry's main criminal investigations department. Avakov and Kolomoisky have been put on the international wanted list valid on the territories of all Interpol member-states," Markin said.
Avakov and Kolomoisky have been accused of organizing a number of crimes, including murder, the use of prohibited means and methods of warfare, the obstruction of professional activities of journalists, and abduction, which are covered by Russian Criminal Code Articles 33, 205, 356, 144, and 126, he said.
Over 40 investigators are continuing to work with people coming from Ukraine, who have suffered from crimes and who have found refuge in the Republic of Crimea and in the Rostov, Belgorod, Voronezh, Bryansk, Kursk and some other regions, he said.
"As many as 2,400 witnesses have been questioned, and 1,470 people, including 208 minors, have been recognized as victims. Over one thousand people have handed appeals to the International Criminal Court and the European Court of Human Rights to Russian investigators," he said.
"The investigation is taking measures to identify absolutely all individuals, both commanders and servicemen of the Ukrainian armed forces, the Ukrainian National Guard, and Right Sector fighters responsible for conducting the punitive operation against civilians in southeastern Ukraine, in which a large amount of civilians have been killed and injured," Markin said.
The investigation into the criminal case is continuing.
