KHARKIV, Jan. 31 – Arsen Avakov, the former head of Kharkiv Regional State Administration and the leader of the regional branch of the opposition Batkivschyna Party, has been put on the international wanted list, the regional prosecutor's office has reported.

"Former head of Kharkiv Regional State Administration Arsen Avakov is a defendant in a criminal case opened against him on January 26, 2012 by the prosecutor's office on charges of abuse of power and office under Part 3, Article 365 of the Criminal Code. On the same day, he was put on the international wanted list, and Chervonozavodsky District Court in Kharkiv chose the measure of restraint for him in the form of detention, under a motion submitted by an investigator of the prosecutor's office of Kharkiv region," the press service of the regional prosecutor's office reported.