KYIV. Feb 21 (Interfax) - Verkhovna Rada has relieved Vitaly Zakharchenko from the duties of the Interior Minister.
The decision was favored by 332 people's deputies on Friday.
Prior to the vote Batkivshchyna faction leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk read out the decree removing Zakharchenko from office.
"For systemic and gross violation of the Ukrainian Constitution and laws, the exceeding of authority and official powers, which manifested in the unlawful issuance of orders regarding the unjustified use of means of physical restraint, riot control weapons and firearms, which led to the massive violation of the constitutional individual and civil rights and liberties, dozens Ukrainians killed and hundreds injured, and subject to Article 85(1)(12) of the Ukrainian Constitution, Verkhovna Rada hereby rules: that Vitaliy Zakharchenko be relieved of his duties of the Ukrainian Interior Minister and therefore removed from office," the statement said.
The decree is passed with immediate effect, Yatsenyuk said.
"It will become effective after the enactment of the new Constitution we passed today," Speaker Volodymyr Rybak said before putting the decree to a vote.