Ukraine's Yanukovich blames radicals for bloodshed at Maidan protests

Ukraine's former President Viktor Yanukovich appears to testify via video link with a Ukrainian court during the trial of former riot police officers, suspected of killing protesters during the Maidan street revolt of 2013/2014, at a regional court in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, November 28, 2016. REUTERS/Stringer

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's former president Viktor Yanukovich on Monday blamed armed nationalist radicals for fomenting violence in the 2014 Maidan protests that led to scores of protesters being killed and ultimately prompted him to flee into exile.

His testimony to a Ukrainian court via a video link from neighbouring Russia was the first time Ukrainian authorities could question the pro-Kremlin leader in relation to the fatal shootings of demonstrators in Kiev nearly three years ago.