Ukraine issues warrants against Crimean PM, speaker

A court in Ukraine's capital Kiev has issued arrest warrants against the prime minister and the parliament speaker of the autonomous republic of Crimea, the prosecutor general's office said.

Ukraine's Prosecutor General Oleh Makhnytsky said Wednesday that criminal charges have been brought against them and some other politicians in Crimea, Xinhua reported.

Last Thursday, the regional parliament of Crimea appointed Sergey Aksyonov, leader of the Russian Unity party, as prime minister in a closed session and announced that a referendum would be held over the future status of the territory March 30.

Aksyonov said Saturday he had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to help ensure peace in the pro-Russian region.

Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Alexandr Turchynov, who is also the country's acting president, later signed a decree rejecting Aksyonov's new capacity.

Crimea, home to Russia's Black Sea Fleet, has become the epicentre of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine since president Viktor Yanukovych was ousted by parliament Feb 22.