Interpol issues wanted notice for Yanukovych

International police network Interpol said on Monday it had placed Yanukovych on its international wanted list on charges of embezzlement and financial wrongdoing.

Ukrainian authorities said Interpol's publication of the "red notice" - authorizing Yanukovych's arrest - empowered any police force to hand him over to Ukraine.

However, Russia - where Yanukovych has taken refuge since he was ousted from power in February 2014 - is unlikely to extradite him, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Probe into 'The Family'

Yanukovych fled to Russia in February after months of street protests in Kiev over his decision to withdraw from an association agreement between Ukraine and the EU. Yanukovych was said to have been intent instead on strengthening Kyiv's economic and political ties with Moscow.

Pro-Western authorities have accused Yanukovych - as well as a group of relatives and close allies known as The Family - of accumulating huge wealth by robbing state funds and plundering national assets.

Yanukovych, who Russia claims was the victim of a coup, denies that he or members of his family were involved in corruption.

rc/tj (AF, Reuters)