Ukrainian minister chooses death rather than face probe

Former Ukrainian Interior Minister Yuriy Kravchenko shot himself today, hours before prosecutors were to question him about the killing of an investigative journalist five years ago.

President Viktor Yushchenko said Kravchenko’s death could be linked to the investigation into the killing of Internet journalist Heorhiy Gongadze, who investigated Ukrainian government corruption.

“Everyone has a choice: either appear before the court and publicly stand up for his rights and honour or dispense justice on himself.” Yushchenko said.

Kravchenko had been implicated in organising the killing and had been summoned to give testimony to prosecutors in Kiev this morning

He left a note in which he blamed former President Leonid Kuchma and his entourage for his death, the Interfax news agency and Ukraine’s private NTN television reported, citing law enforcement sources.

According to the sources, Kravchenko said he was committing suicide to save his family against “attacks”.

Ukrainian TV said the 53-year-old former police official had shot himself at his country residence in an exclusive neighbourhood outside Kiev. Relatives found his body after they heard a gunshot.

Gongadze was abducted in Kiev in September 2000, and his decapitated body was found months later buried in a forest outside the capital.

His death sparked months of protests against former President Leonid Kuchma, who the opposition alleged had ordered the killing. Kuchma, who is currently at a spa in the Czech Republic, has denied any involvement.

West-leaning President Yushchenko issued a statement saying that the investigation into Kravchenko’s death “must be conducted in a transparent and professional manner and in full accordance with law”.

The allegations against Kuchma were based on recordings that a former presidential bodyguard said were made secretly in Kuchma’s office.

In the tapes, Kuchma was overheard repeatedly complaining about Gongadze’s reporting and ordering Kravchenko to ”drive him out, throw (him) out, give him to the Chechens".

Lytvyn, who was Kuchma’s former chief-of-staff, was also allegedly heard on the tapes saying: “In my opinion, let loose Kravchenko to use alternative methods.”

Kremlin favourite Kuchma and his circle have disputed the authenticity of the tapes.

His spokeswoman, Olena Hromnytska, said the former president had no immediate comment on Kravchenko’s death. ”Let’s wait for the results of the investigation,” she said.

Yushchenko, who was elected in December, has made solving Gongadze’s slaying a top priority for his government.

Two of the suspected killers are in custody, one is under orders not to leave Kiev and the fourth, senior police official Oleksiy Pukach, is wanted on an international warrant. All were employed by Ukraine’s Interior Ministry.