U.S. Police Detain Former Ukrainian Governor

13 October 2005 -- Acting on Ukraine's request, U.S. authorities have detained a former Ukrainian governor on several criminal charges.

The press service for Ukraine's Prosecutor-General's Office today said that Volodymyr Shcherban was detained yesterday in Florida.

Ukraine accuses Shcherban of abusing his powers when he headed Ukraine's northern Sumy region. Charges against him include fraud and extortion.

Shcherban governed Sumy until January. Ukrainian authorities say they are seeking his extradition.

(Interfax-Ukraine/AP)