KYIV. Jan 13 (Interfax) - The Kyiv Prosecutor's Office has started a criminal investigation into media reports claiming that members of the Berkut riot police task force resorted to violence near the Kyiv-Svyatoshyn District Court building and that former Interior Minister Yury Lutsenko suffered injuries in the incident.
"Following reports on the use of force by Berkut members near the Kyiv-Svyatoshyn District Court and on injuries that Mr. Yu. Lutsenko suffered on Victory Avenue, the Kyiv Prosecutor's Office has started criminal proceedings on abuse of office charges," the Kyiv Prosecutor's Office said in a statement.
"As part of the investigation, prosecutorial investigators will determine the factual picture of the incident on the court territory and later near the Svyatoshyn district police department," it said.
The prosecution services did not receive any official reports on the beating of people by police, and the investigation has been opened under Ukrainian Criminal Code Article 365 Part 2 based on media reports, it said.
At the same time, police investigators have started criminal proceedings into disorderly conduct by demonstrators, obstruction of court functions, and resistance to police.
It was reported earlier citing information circulated by the Svoboda (Freedom) party that Berkut members used force against demonstrators near the Kyiv-Svyatoshyn District Court building.
Activists of the so-called Auto-Maidan movement later blockaded buses carrying Berkut members near the Svyatoshyn district police department. Lutsenko reportedly suffered head injuries in the clashes.