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Former Ukrainian Lawmaker Found Dead


A Ukrainian opposition politician has been found dead in the capital, Kyiv.

The Interior Ministry said Oleh Kalashnikov, 52, was found dead with gunshot wounds on April 15.

Police said an investigation has been launched.

Kalashnikov was a former deputy in parliament and a member of former President Viktor Yanukovych's Party of Regions.

Senior Interior Ministry official Anton Herashchenko said Kalashnikov had knowledge of the Anti-Maidan movement, which opposed pro-Western protests that ousted Yanukovych in February 2014 -- suggesting this might be a motive for his alleged murder.

"Without doubt, the deceased knew a lot about who financed Anti-Maidan and in what way,” Herashchenko said. “He takes these secrets with him to the grave."

Several allies of the former government have died suddenly in the past months.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and Interfax

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