You're reading: Opposition leaders denounce police shootings, say Yanukovych, Zakharchenko responsible

 Editor's Note: The following is a translation from a joint statement issued today by the three political opposition parties: Arseniy Yatseniuk's Batkivshchyna Party, Vitali Klitschko's Ukrainian Democratic Alliance For Reform and Oleh Tiahnybok's Svoboda Party. They are protesting the fatal shootings of two demonstrators by police.

“Four gunshot wounds to the head and neck in one of the dead is not self-defense (by police) who deliberately shot civilians. The direct responsibility for this act of terror against the citizens of dictatorship lies heavily on the interior minister – a bloody killer Vitaliy Zakharchenko.

“Only the immediate withdrawal of the riot police officers and internal troops from Kyiv and the resignation of the Interior Ministry Vitaly Zakharchenko, on whose hands are the blood of Ukrainian citizens, and  withdrawal of “titushki” (hired thugs) criminals who terrorize residents can stop the escalation of conflict in the lethal phase.”

“All that will happen now in the country, life and safety of every citizen, and the protesters’ deaths are the personal responsibility of President Viktor Yanukovych, who has been ignoring the demands of peace for two months. Only the unconditional and immediate compliance with all requirements of the people can guaranteed the situation in the country will return to a peaceful course.”