SABI NAIJA BLOG: Ukraine Ex-Leader Wanted For Mass Murder

Ukraine has issued a warrant for the arrest of ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, the interim interior minister has announced.

Arsen Avakov said on Facebook that a criminal case had been opened against Mr Yanukovych and other officials over "mass murder of peaceful citizens".

MPs voted to remove Mr Yanukovych on Saturday after months of protest sparked by his rejection of an EU deal.

The health ministry says 88 people, mostly anti-Yanukovych protesters but also police, are now known to have been killed in last week's clashes.

"An official case for the mass murder of peaceful citizens has been opened," said Mr Avakov. "Yanukovych and other people responsible for this have been declared wanted."

The statement said Mr Yanukovych was last seen in Balaklava on the Crimean peninsula on Sunday, but that he had left by car for an unknown destination, accompanied by an aide.

Before leaving Balaklava he gave his state-appointed security detail the choice to leave him, with many choosing to do so, the statement said.

Mr Avakov was appointed interim interior minister on Saturday.

He replaced Vitaly Zakharchenko, who was sacked the day before after being blamed for the deaths of civilians in the crackdown on protesters.

The protests first began in late November when Mr Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.

Mr Yanukovych insisted on Saturday that he was still Ukraine's legitimate leader. But he had become increasingly isolated and parliament voted to impeach him and hold presidential elections in May.

On the same day, thousands of protesters were able to walk unchallenged into official presidential buildings in the capital, and into Mr Yanukovych's home just north of Kiev, after police abandoned their posts.

Thousand of people remain in Kiev's Independence Square, the Maidan, where they have been protesting for months.See more pics below...