MP Boyko clarifies “radicals” comment, refers to Petro Poroshenko

Source: BBC Україна

In his interview on Tuesday, Ukrainian MP Yuriy Boyko tried to do the damage control arguing he didn’t target the Ukrainian government when he posted a video where he complained about “radicals dismantling monuments, banning the Russian language, and prohibiting church attendance.”  The Ukrainian MP who started his career in early 2000s hinted that many of the country’s woes stem from the policies of former Ukrainian president:

“Let’s recall that the processes of dismantling monuments and revising humanitarian policies began during Petro Poroshenko’s presidency. He personally, along with paramilitary groups that emerged in Ukrainian cities, initiated this policy of fighting monuments and persecuting citizens based on language or religion. These initiatives by street activists are what we continue to see across Ukraine today.”

Yuriy Boyko is a leader of the parliamentary group “Platform for Life and Peace,” formed by former members of the banned Opposition Platform – For Life.  He also  served as Minister of Energy and Coal Industry and Deputy Prime Minister under Viktor Yanukovych.