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Ukrainian President Says Violent Russian Soccer Fans Were 'Trained Killers'


Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (right) made his remarks ahead of a meeting with his French counterpart Francois Hollande (left).
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (right) made his remarks ahead of a meeting with his French counterpart Francois Hollande (left).

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said during a visit to France that Russian soccer fans behind violence in Marseille during the European Championships were "trained fighters who kill."

Poroshenko made the remark on French television ahead of a June 21 meeting in Paris with French President Francois Hollande.

Two Britons remained in a coma on June 21 after being seriously injured ahead of a June 11 Euro match in Marseille.

They were among 35 mostly British fans hurt in the three days of violence.

French prosecutors said the Russian fans in Marseille targeted England supporters in an orchestrated "hunt."

Three Russian fans were jailed for up to two years and six England fans were sentenced for up to six months.

Twenty Russians were expelled from France for violence -- including far-right fan leader Aleksandr Shprygin, who was expected to be expelled a second time on June 21 after sneaking back into the country.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters

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