Berkut police units disbanded in Ukraine

The Berkut police units of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine have been disbanded by Acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov on February 25, 2014, RIA Novosti reports.MPs of the Freedom Party proposed disbanding of the units on February 23. Berkut was the main force that organized crackdowns of mass protests. Speaker of Parliament Alexander Turchinov reminded that the idea needed adjustments because the police were still needed to maintain order.Avakov ordered checking of regional police authorities to find any excess of authority during crackdowns.A special commission of 29 members of the Main Staff of the Interior Ministry, main investigative directorate, home security, public security, staff and legal departments will investigate any such violations.

The Berkut police units of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine have been disbanded by Acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov on February 25, 2014, RIA Novosti reports.

MPs of the Freedom Party proposed disbanding of the units on February 23. Berkut was the main force that organized crackdowns of mass protests. Speaker of Parliament Alexander Turchinov reminded that the idea needed adjustments because the police were still needed to maintain order.

Avakov ordered checking of regional police authorities to find any excess of authority during crackdowns.

A special commission of 29 members of the Main Staff of the Interior Ministry, main investigative directorate, home security, public security, staff and legal departments will investigate any such violations.