Ukraine: EU tightens grip on Yanukovych's aides, freeze assets

Austria has frozen assets of 18 Ukrainians suspected of violating human rights and of involvement in corruption, the foreign ministry said on Friday. The ministry did not release the names of those affected by the freeze. [caption id=“attachment_1412841” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Three month long protests led to ousting of President Yanukovych. AP.[/caption] Austria, which has resisted European efforts to improve transparency in the banking sector, is considered in Kiev as financial safe haven for the oligarchs associated with deposed Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych. The ministry said the move was taken as a preliminary security measure until European Union’s targeted sanctions take effect. The bloc on February 20 agreed to a travel ban and asset freeze on Ukrainians with “blood on their hands” amid worsening violence in Kiev, but did not name those affected and said the number would depend on developments. On Tuesday, the U.S. Treasury also warned  banks to be on the look-out for potentially suspicious transfers of financial assets by Ukraine’s fugitive president or members of his inner circle. AFP with inputs from Reuters