You're reading: Ex-Ukraine leader denies role in reporter’s death

A former Ukrainian president is denying involvement in the brutal slaying of an investigative reporter 10 years ago.

Leonid Kuchma appeared at the prosecutor’s office for questioning Wednesday and vowed to prove his innocence.

Prosecutors have launched criminal proceedings against the 72-year-old leader who served as Ukraine’s president in 1994-2005 on suspicion that he gave orders that eventually led to the reporter’s killing.

Heorhiy Gongadze, who exposed high-profile corruption, was kidnapped in September 2000. His headless body was later discovered outside Kiev.

Opponents and rights groups have accused Kuchma of involvement in the slaying based on tape recordings in which a voice that sounded like Kuchma’s is heard conspiring against the journalist.