You're reading: Shokin asks Interpol to review rejection of putting ex-high ranking officials, Berkut officers on international wanted list

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin has called on Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock to review the decision which rejected putting former high-ranking officials and Berkut riot police officers on the international wanted list.

“Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin has addressed Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock with the request to review the decisions on denying putting former officials and 19 Berkut riot police members on the international wanted list, as criminal prosecution of these [people] is allegedly of political reasons. [The above-mentioned people] have been incriminated in committing crimes – premeditated murder of 39 protestors,” the Prosecutor General’s Office press service reported on June 12.

According to Shokin, Interpol’s position isn’t justified, as both the Ukrainian investigative authorities and the international consultation group created by the decree of Secretary of the Council of Europe concur on the Berkut members committing the above-mentioned crimes.

Shokin also said that Interpol’s position does not coincide with the practice of the European Court of Human Rights.

“Taking the above-mentioned facts into account, I ask you, honorable Mr. Stock, to take into consideration the above-mentioned circumstances and review the decision on denying putting the above-mentioned persons on wanted list,” Shokin said.