Ukraine crisis: EU freezes assets of Yanukovych, his closest aides

Brussels: The European Union says the asset freezes it has imposed against 18 people held responsible for embezzling state funds in Ukraine include the country’s ousted President Viktor Yanukovych. The 28-nation bloc revealed the names of those targeted by its sanctions early Thursday. The list includes what appear to be Yanukovych’s closest aides, including a former interior minister, justice minister, the prosecutor general, the head of the security services and Yanukovych’s son. [caption id=“attachment_1413147” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] The former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych in this file photo. AFP[/caption] The sanctions also target former Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and his son. The EU said Wednesday it was freezing assets of Ukrainian officials held in the EU but did not name them pending the publication in the official legal journal Thursday. Associated Press