Ukraine deaths spark fears of power struggle

THE mysterious deaths of Ukraine's transport minister and a high-profile banker mark the start of a struggle for control of the country, diplomats and politicians warned yesterday.

The death of Transport Minister Heorhiy Kyrpa follows Western-leaning Viktor Yushchenko's victory with a margin in a re-run of the presidential election. His rival, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, will appeal the result in court.

High-profile banker Yuriy Lyakh died on December 3 apparently stabbed in the neck with a paper opener.

The Public Prosecutors office said yesterday it is investigating both as possible suicides.

Opposition politicians and foreign diplomats fear it is the start of a cover-up operation by Mr Yanukovich's team. Both men had key roles in shady business deals and voting fraud in the recent election.

The transport minister arranged transport to ferry voters to polling stations to vote numerous times, according to opposition politicians while they say the banker was the money man in the election.

Opposition deputy Mykola Tomenko, said yesterday that the deaths could hinder investigations into illegal activities.