Berkut had training seminars in Germany

Belarusian special police units also had seminars in Germany ahead of December 19, 2010.

Ahead of the UEFA EURO 2012, the German Federal Criminal Police Office organised training seminars for the Ukrainian special police unit “Berkut”, which was disbanded in late February 2014 by the new authorities.

The German Interior Ministry told it to Green MP Hans-Christian Ströbele, DPA reports.

The German government advised their Ukrainian colleagues, in particular the Ukrainian Security Service, on security issues between 2009 and 2013. Germany also supplied helmets and light body armour for Berkut.

“The government’s admission shows how quickly yesterday’s friend can become the enemy and dictator of today,” Ströbele noted.

Berkut, a special riot police unit responsible for killings of civilians, was disbanded on February 25.