A Year After Fleeing Ukraine, Yanukovich Speaks of Return

New York Times ^ | FEB. 21, 2015, 7:52 A.M. E.S.T. | Reuters

[WhiskeyX]

MOSCOW — Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, who fled to Russia a year ago after being toppled by months of street protests, said he was ready to return to Ukraine if the opportunity arose.

The pro-Russian leader was overthrown by the "Maidan" uprising in Kiev against his decision to back away from a deal that would have taken the country towards integration with Europe and instead tighten economic ties with Russia, Ukraine's old Soviet master.

Just weeks after his departure, Moscow annexed the Crimea peninsula, a base for Russia's Black Sea fleet, and pro-Russian separatists seized key buildings in the east of the country leading to a conflict in which more than 5,000 people have been killed.

Interpol has put Yanukovich on the international wanted list at the behest of Kiev authorities on charges of embezzlement and financial wrongdoing. But Russia is likely to turn down any request to extradite him, Interfax news agency said last month, citing a source familiar with the situation.

[....]

SHOOTINGS

Yanukovich fled from Kiev by helicopter after three days of shootings in which more than 100 civilians were killed. He later said he had fled because he feared for his life.

He is still a hate figure in the capital and parts of central and western Ukraine where he is held responsible for the shootings. If he did suddenly return, it seems likely he would be arrested and put on trial.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Friday that phone records showed there was evidence of regular conversations between Yanukovich and Russia's security services which revealed a "clear Russian link" to the shootings.

[Gay State Conservative]

Let's hope his return gets him what he deserves....two slugs in the forehead.

[1rudeboy]

Hey now, Yanukovich is a “moderate” dictator. Heard it right here on FR.

[molson209]

Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Puppet returns to be a puppet

[GeronL]

lol

he looted and pillaged Ukraine for mother Russia and started shooting peaceful protesters

he needs to be shot if he tries to return

[tcrlaf]

Wishful thinking...

Yanukovich is done in Ukraine, and the “NovoRossiyans” won’t have him, either.

Watch for Oleg Tsarov, though.
He has been in the background of the Civil War since it began. Kolomoiski still has a million dollar bounty on his head.

He’s made some recent public pronouncements of “Rebuilding Donbas” in conjunction with Russia, and it sounds as if he intends to be involved in the political future of it.

He was marching in Yesterday’s Anti-Maidan protest in Moscow, and was talking to media, so it looks like he is trying to raise his profile again.

[Mariner]

The only relevant question here: Was his original election legitimate? Did he get all the votes ascribed to him?

[1rudeboy]

Not so. Did he assume dictatorial powers for himself after being elected?

[Krosan]

Maybe, maybe not. This is not the only question though. He was elected to a presidency with very low power. 2004 Constitution amendments passed with 90% of MP votes made it so.

He was able to maneuver and abolish the 2004 constitution citing technicalities 6 years after it had been passed and started to rule by post-soviet constitution giving the President enormous power. A totally different position he was never elected to and that 90% of MPs had voted must not exist in Ukraine.

With his illegal power he fixed the parliamentary elections in 2012 and was ready to become a President for Life as all the other Putin’s buddies in the region are.

[Mariner]

"He was able to maneuver and abolish the 2004 constitution citing technicalities 6 years after it had been passed and started to rule by post-soviet constitution giving the President enormous power."

Did he do this unilaterally, or was it principally other institutions that drove this?

[Krosan]

He somehow got a constitutional court to rule it. Before this ruling 3 out of 18 judges (who were against him) resigned for some reason. Threats are suspected. Unlike his mild mannered predecessor Yanukovich’s background was street gangster and he had been in prison twice in his youth for violent crimes.

Someone else might be able to give you the story containing all the legalese. For me the spirit of it is quite simple. 90% of the MPs voted for the constitution in 2004 and somehow Yanukovich got it overturned on technicality 6 years later.