Ukrainian dissolves Communist Party faction

Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Olexandr Turchynov on Thursday dissolved the Communist faction in the assembly due to the absence of the minimum required number of lawmakers in the group.

Turchynov explained that, according to the new Ukrainian legislation passed on Tuesday, the speaker has the right to disband a parliamentary faction if it becomes smaller than it was at the first session.

The Communist faction in the Ukrainian parliament gained 33 seats after the 2012 parliamentary elections. However this year, 10 lawmakers decided to leave the group and there were no newcomers.

Following the move, Petro Symonenko, first secretary of the Communist Party of Ukraine, described it as "fight against dissent" and said his party will contest the decision in the Ukrainian courts and the European Court of Human Rights.

• In mid-May, Turchynov requested the Justice Ministry to probe into the possible involvement of the leadership of the Ukrainian Communist Party in the separatist movement in eastern regions.

Turchynov asked the ministry to find legal instruments and ban the Communist Party of Ukraine if there is proof of its involvement in anti-constitutional actions. 
Xinhua - http://www.china.org.cn/world/2014-07/24/content_33049154.htm
24/7/14
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