Kiev detains Berkut officers 'Maidan snipers' Probe скачать в хорошем качестве

Kiev detains Berkut officers 'Maidan snipers' Probe

Ukrainian prosecutors have detained several Berkut riot police officers, saying they may be behind the mass killings by unidentified snipers in Kiev on February 20. The new twist adds further mystery to the politically-loaded investigation. The detainees belonged to 'Berkut black company', acting Prosecutor General Oleg Makhnitsky told journalists on Thursday. The General Prosecutor's office explained that unlike regular Berkut troops, which went unarmed to the confrontation with anti-government protesters, the special operations unit was issued with sniper rifles to provide cover for their Berkut comrades. "Their task was, as they explained, although we don't fully believe them, to shoot back at advancing protesters and allow the regular Berkut troops retreat," acting Deputy Prosecutor General Aleksey Baganets said. A total of 12 officers were detained in the investigation, including the commander of the unit. The alleged involvement of other Ukrainian police and security units in the mass killings is still under investigation. Protesters and police officers alike were among killed and injured by sniper fire, with a strong suspicion that both sides were shot at by the same snipers with the goal of inciting more violence. Channel "RT TV" http://rt.com/news/berkut-snipers-det...