STRASBOURG, April 8 (RIA Novosti) – A draft resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe strongly condemns the Ukrainian authorities’ use of snipers and firearms against protests in the country’s capital in February known as Euromaidan, according to the document, which was obtained by RIA Novosti.
The text of the resolution slams the involvement of snipers and the use of firearms against protesters by the Ukrainian authorities and says that such actions are unacceptable.
The resolution further aims to conduct a thorough investigation into the deaths and possible human rights violations connected with the events on the Maidan, which added it is also crucial to identify the perpetrators of violence and bring them to justice.
The document suggests that the commission advisers who proposed the creation of the Council of Europe could assist the Ukrainian authorities in meeting these requirements.
The sniper story and killings in Kiev have had a significant impact on events in Ukraine this year. The opposition, which seized power as a result of a coup backed by the EU and US, implicated ousted leader Viktor Yanukovych and Ukraine's elite riot police, the Berkut, in the crimes.
A taped phone conversation between Catherine Ashton, the EU's foreign policy chief and Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet was leaked to the web in late February, in which Paet told Ashton that "Yanukovych was not the one behind the sniper attack, but rather someone from the new coalition."
Acting Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov announced the results of an investigation last week laying the blame on Yanukovych for ordering snipers to open fire on the participants of anti-government clashes that left more than 100 dead. Ukraine's police have also detained 13 members of the country's Berkut special forces suspected of involvement in the sniper case.
In a symmetrical move, Russia detained 25 Ukrainians last Thursday, including three activists of the radical Right Sector movement, on suspicion of planning terrorist attacks in the country.
Lavrov said Russia has "massive evidence" that contradicts the results of Ukraine's investigation. He said Moscow has valid proof pointing to a group of Right Sector radicals possibly in charge of the sniper attacks.
