Deposed president of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych is in a Moscow hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack, it was reported in Russia today. His condition was said to be 'grave', Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper, known as MK, has claimed, citing unofficial sources.
Vladimir Putin dismissed a report earlier this week that Yanukovych had died from a heart attack in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don.
On Tuesday, the Kremlin leader said his former ally was 'alive and healthy', and that he had met him several days earlier. However, Yanukovych has not been seen in public since giving a rambling press conference in Russia one week ago.
Putin also claimed the former leader would have been killed if not for his rescue in Sevastopol by Russian forces.
Today the newspaper said: 'According to an MK source, Yanukovych may have had a heart attack. His condition is assessed as grave.' The name of the Moscow hospital was not given.
'So far there has been no official confirmation,' stated the newspaper.
Yanukovych is the subject of a formal request by the authorities in Kiev for extradition to face an investigation for ordering his security forces to shoot unarmed protesters in Kiev last month. He denies the allegations.
Russia believes Yanukovych remains the legal president of Ukraine. Putin agreed to give him sanctuary after he was toppled.
'The legitimate president, purely legally, is undoubtedly Yanukovych,' said Putin on Tuesday.
'I think he has no political future - I told him that. As for playing a role in his fate, we did that purely from humanitarian reasons.'
No comments:
Post a Comment