Ukraine minister's 'suicide'

The transport minister of Ukraine was found dead with a gunshot wound yesterday — a day after the country’s election was re-run because it had been rigged. Heorhiy Kyrpa, who was also one of Ukraine’s most prominent businessmen, is believed to have committed suicide. He was found at his home near Kiev. Kyrpa had close ties to outgoing President Leonid Kuchma and PM Viktor Yanukovich. Kyrpa, 58, is accused of allocating trains to ferry Yanukovich supporters to vote in November’s poll. Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko now looks certain to become Ukraine’s president. But Yanukovich has vowed never to concede defeat.