Ukraine frees remaining protesters under amnesty

Ukrainian authorities on Friday released the last of 234 protesters detained during mass anti-government protests under an amnesty deal intended to defuse ongoing street unrest, RIA Novosti reported.

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Pshonka said prosecutors and courts could begin the process of dropping criminal charges against the suspects as early as Tuesday if they adhere to the terms of the amnesty, which includes a Monday deadline to clear roads and vacate government buildings occupied by protesters.

“I’m saying today that there is a real timetable – about one month,” Pshonka was quoted by the UNIAN news agency as saying. “That means that by March 18, and not later, all criminal cases will be closed and all suspects will be cleared of criminal responsibility.”

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said in a television interview Friday that he is “confident that common sense will prevail” in the tense standoff between authorities and the protesters.

“People are being liberated,” Yanukovych said. “I addressed both protesters and law enforcement officials for us to open the way for the implementation of the given law as soon as possible.”