Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted, actually, in a coup d'état. It was virtually admitted by Ukrainian ex-PM Yatsenyuk. He testified in court telling about his attempt to start a civil war in Crimea. Mikheil Saakashvili also spoke about Ukrainian politicians being unwise. He's now preparing the Maidan to fight the Maidan government. The court has recently refused to put him under house arrest. Georgian mercenaries are taking part in Kiev processes.
Olga Turchininova has the details.
Bodyguards can hardly hold back Saakashvili's fans. He's almost smothered by the crowd. Then, a triumphal speech on top of a car with dramatic pauses for ovations. Everything just like in a revolutionary's memo: “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!”
After being released from jail, Saakashvili headed to his two-story luxury suite rather than returning to his cold tent next to Rada. This morning, several activists were guarding his house. They're gone now. Saakashvili himself is said not to leave the house today.
While main news-maker Saakashvili awaits an interrogation at the General Prosecutor's Office, a true sensation is quietly unfolding in another court. During Yanukovych's trial, Arseny Yatsenyuk revealed that in 2014 Ukrainian military had an order to use weapons in Crimea. He actually confirmed that the post-Maidan Kiev authorities were ready to start a civil war.
Arseny Yatsenyuk: "I can testify that the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the Navy, and the Air Force were authorized to use firearms".
He also virtually admitted that Rada had had no legal reasons to impeach the former president. "There's not a single phrase about Yanukovych's impeachment. The document read: "due to his voluntary resignation and non-fulfillment of presidential responsibilities the presidential powers are temporarily vested in the chairman of the parliament".
Yatsenyuk was grilled by the lawyers. During the two-hour trial, he had to weasel his way out explaining why his testimony was so odd and inconsistent. But the events of 2014 seem to be revisited soon. The lawyer of ex-Berkut soldiers has said that two new witnesses are ready to testify in court revealing who was shooting on the Maidan and who issued the order.
Alexander Goroshinsky, trial lawyer: "Alexander, one of the witnesses was in the conservatory that morning and saw people shooting from the building. Yargadze was in the Hotel Ukraine with another group. He reported a group of people that included Georgians, Ukrainians, and Balts was firing at the protesters as well as the law enforcers".
He's talking about the snipers from the investigation movie of Italian journalist Gian Micalessin "The hidden truth about Ukraine" that caused a backlash. Georgian citizens told frankly who ordered them to come to Kiev and open fire. The only remaining question: will Ukraine listen to them?
Olga Turchininova, Alexander Shevchuk, Alexey Nazarov for Vesti from Kiev
