Kyiv, 5 February 2002 (RFE/RL) -- Ukrainian deputies today called for the country's attorney general to launch a corruption investigation against President Leonid Kuchma. The parliament's website reported that 130 out of 256 deputies petitioned to open the inquiry.
Parliamentarians have accused Kuchma and two former government officials of embezzling more than $5 million in 1992 and 1993, when Kuchma was prime minister.
The deputies also called for an inquiry to be opened against the first president of Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk, who is accused of accepting a bribe during his term in office.
The requests for corruption inquiries come at the beginning of electoral campaigns for the 31 March legislative elections.
Parliamentarians have accused Kuchma and two former government officials of embezzling more than $5 million in 1992 and 1993, when Kuchma was prime minister.
The deputies also called for an inquiry to be opened against the first president of Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk, who is accused of accepting a bribe during his term in office.
The requests for corruption inquiries come at the beginning of electoral campaigns for the 31 March legislative elections.