ANKARA
Embattled Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, in his first public appearance since fleeing the country, condemned the opposition-led interim government as illegitimate.
Yanukovych reiterated that he was the legal head of state and would continue his fight to legitimize his authority.
“No one has deposed me, I was forced to leave Ukraine because of the threats to my life and my relatives”, Yanukovych said.
He accused the West of colluding with the opposition and insisted that the interim government resign immediately.
"The interim leaders propagate violence in the world," he said.
Yanukovych also apologized for lacking strength to maintain stability in Ukraine, while also asking forgiveness from 'the brave police who were hurt while doing their duty'.
"What is happening in Crimea is a natural response to what happened in Kiev, which was done by a radical group of protesters”. Crimea needs to stay part of a united and undivided Ukraine, of course with broad autonomy," Yanukovych said reiterating that any military action would be unacceptable.
Nearly 50 armed men seized the airport in Simferopol, according to Ukraine's Interfax news agency. Witnesses said the gunmen wore similar military uniforms without markings as the ones who seized the Crimean parliament and government offices on Thursday.
Yanukovych said would return to Ukraine as soon as he receives international safety guarantees.
Switzerland to freeze Yanukovych’s bank accounts
Meanwhile Switzerland’s federal government on Friday instructed its banks to freeze all bank accounts of former Ukrainian President, Viktor Yanukovych, according to Swiss media.
No request was made from Ukraine and the amount of assets to be freezed is not known.
Yanukovych’s son Aleksandr Yanukovych is reported to own a coal trading company and to have a wealth worth of half billion dollars.
Ukraine's interim general prosecutor Oleg Makhnytsky said Wednesday that Kiev has requested an international arrest warrant for ousted president Viktor Yanukovych. He is accused for "mass murder" of protesters in Kiev during February’s demonstrations.
Yanukovych, who believes is still the legitimate President of Ukraine, actually is in the southern Russian city of Rostov where he held a press conference on Friday.
