© RIA Novosti / Alexandr MaksimenkoARCHIVE PHOTO: Burning car tires set on fire on Independence Square (Maidan) in Kiev by Maidan activists protesting the removal of barricades and a tent camp from the square
The report specifically concentrated on the investigation of violent acts during the three months of Maidan demonstrations: Violent dispersal of the protest by Berkut riot police on November 30, 2013, clashes on January 22, 2014, which resulted in the first deaths of protesters, and February 18-21, 2014, the deadliest days of the Kiev protests.
Before the February 2014 coup, "there was no genuine attempt to pursue investigations," said a document by the International Advisory Panel. The panel was established by the Council of Europe to review investigations into the violent incidents during the Maidan demonstrations.
"The lack of genuine investigations during the three months of the demonstrations inevitably meant that the investigations did not begin promptly and this constituted, of itself, a substantial challenge for the investigations, which took place thereafter and on which the Panel's review has principally focused," the report stated.
The panel added that "the appointment post-Maidan of certain officials to senior positions in the MoI [Ukraine Interior Ministry] contributed to the lack of appearance of independence."
Comment: Spies R Us...a thrilling "Who Dunnit" in the making! Undercover Agents, Espionage, Betrayal, Global Dominance, War of the Century, Humanity in the Balance...don't we all live in interesting times! Don't we wish this scenario was on the cutting board of some film maker's studio instead of a real-time/real-life cliff hanger with the president but a bit character in the cover story. Unfortunately there will be no rewrites and no retakes, especially if Israel manages to pull off the "win-win" and the US sticks to the script and predictably fulfills its supporting role.