Ukrainian separatist to be treated as 'terrorists and criminals'

The pro-Russian separatists will be treated as "terrorists and criminals," said the Interim Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turcinov on Tuesday. Security forces arrested about 70 pro-Russian separatists attacking local government headquarters in Kharkov, eastern Ukraine, announced on Tuesday the local branch of the Ministry of Interior.

The Parliament adopted on Tuesday, a number of amendments to the Criminal Code, in Kiev, which involve more stringent penalties for the violation of territorial integrity, amid tensions from the eastern Russian-speaking part of Ukraine, reports Interfax-Ukraine in their electronic edition.

The request comes after threats of secession appeared in the eastern Russian-speaking parts of Ukraine, where separatist activists declared a "people's republic" in Donetsk and requested annexation to Russia, which, according to authorities in Kiev, is part of a plan for the "dismantle" of the country.

Tensions have escalated since Sunday in these parts of Ukraine, including Kharkiv, where demonstrators attacked the government buildings, as in Lugansk and Donetsk.

Demonstrations advocate the "federalization" of Ukraine, an official solution supported by Moscow, but categorically rejected by Kiev.