Ukrainian police on Sept. 26 questioned the country's wealthiest tycoon as a witness in several criminal cases. Mr Rinat Akhmetov, a coal and steel magnate, "gave full answers to all questions" of police investigators, Interior Ministry spokeswoman Inna Kisel said, refusing to elaborate. No details were available on what criminal cases Akhmetov was asked about.

The tycoon and his businesses have faced increasing pressure since Mr Viktor Yushchenko became president in January and began a government crackdown on shady business deals dating back to the administration of former President Mr Leonid Kuchma. Last month, police stormed and searched the tycoon's office in his native town of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine in connection with an investigation into tax evasion and abuse of power.
In July, police summoned Akhmetov for questioning about an alleged 1988 assassination attempt

Mr Akhmetov's US based lawyers have described all the investigations involving their client as politically motivated.