Ukraine releases all detained protesters

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Ukraine’s leader has called for the opposition to yield some ground as authorities announced the release of hundreds of detained protesters days ahead of a mass, anti-government demonstration.

The move appeared to be a concession from the government of Viktor Yanukovich, but is unlikely to appease protesters, who for more than two months have been occupying Kiev’s central Independence Square and nearby buildings in a bid to oust the president

“I don’t want to wage war,” Yanukovich said in a televised interview. “I want to safeguard the state and resume a stable development. We are asking the opposition to also make concessions.”

Ukraine’s attorney general Viktor Pshonka also announced on Friday that “234 people were arrested between December 26 and February 2. None of them are in custody any more”.

He added that if the amnesty law’s condition was met, all charges, some carrying sentences of up to 15 years in jail, would be dropped over a month starting from February 18.

But he set one condition, that protesters evacuate all public buildings they are occupying, such as Kiev city hall next to Independence Square, the AFP news agency reported.