Yanukovych Admits to Use of Excessive Force to Disperse Kyiv Rally

Ukrainians carry a National flag during mass demonstration on Independent Square in Kiev, Ukraine, 01 December 2013. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has admitted that law enforcement authorities used excessive force to disperse the pro-EU rally on Independence Square on November 30.

Yanukovych explained in a TV interview that the estimate of the event was to be given by a court.

He argued that he had no right to estimate who was to blame and who was innocent.

Yanukovych, as cited by his press office and the BGNES news agency, also noted that several investigative groups had been formed over the matter and the Prosecutor General had presented a list of measures to be taken by the law enforcement authorities.

He vowed a fair approach to the solution of the problem and emphasized that the authorities were actively involved in the matter.

"We will look truth in the face and give fair estimates and adopt the respective decisions" the Ukrainian President stated.

"It may be said that on Friday night law enforcement authorities went too far" he declared.

Dozens of protesters were wounded in Ukraine's capital in the early hours of Saturday as riot police brutally dispersed protesters calling for the resignation of Yanukovych after his refusal to sign a strategic deal with the EU.

On December 1, hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered in Kyiv's central streets to vent their anger over the bloody crackdown of the previous day.

There were clashes between protesters and police near the President's office, which resulted in a large number of injured on both sides.

Protesters occupied Kyiv City Council and main labor union building near Independence Square.

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