28.01.2014, TV-Pravda
Translated by Maria Stanislav
Source: http://tv-pravda.com/gonorary-berkutovcev-za-udachnoe-safari/

On Monday, January 27, law enforcement conducted a tour for ambassadors of downtown Kyiv, Hrushevskoho street. Representatives of 14 embassies were able to see the stationed positions of the police,  Berkut [riot police] units, what conditions they are in and their armed ammunition.

The police complained about harsh working conditions and the cold, but assured the diplomats that no firearms are being used – only the riot gear permitted by the law, TSN reports.

“We are issued with rubber bullets. We wouldn’t risk being accused of, God forbid, murdering someone with these weapons. We have regulation ammunition, and it’s effective enough,” a Berkut officer assured, hiding his face behind a mask.

Meanwhile, journalists talked to the former Minister of Internal Affairs regarding ammunition and sniper work. Yuriy Lutsenko assures that it’s not the Russian forces that are shooting, but local Berkut units, who get paid considerable bonuses for their current work.

“As an ex-minister, it’s a difficult thing for me to say, but over the last three years, Berkut has really been turned into some sort of SS-Berkut. They really do receive $500 a day for standing guard, and a thousand for sniping. They really do get paid three thousand for each revolutionary they capture,” Lutsenko said.

Human rights violation – hair dragging

Human rights violation – illegal use of force