Ukraine's ruling party blames Yanukovych for violence

The Ukrainian ruling Party of Regions on Sunday blamed the dismissed President Viktor Yanukovych for issuing orders that led to violence and the deaths of people during the anti-government demonstrations. "We condemn the criminal orders, that harmed the ordinary people, soldiers and officers," the Party of Regions said in a press statement, which was published by the local media. Describing the escape of Yanukovych as "cowardice" , the statement said that the responsibility for the people's deaths during the protests lies on Yanukovych and his closest allies. On Saturday, Ukrainian Parliament passed a resolution to dismiss Yanukovych from his post, declaring him constitutionally unable to carry out his duties. Yanukovych, who insisted he would not step down, has left Kiev on late Friday for his support base in the country's pro-Russian east. The parliament's decision follows anti-government rallies, which left at least 82 people dead and hundreds of others injured.