Ukraine's headless body

The authorities in Ukraine have confirmed that a headless body found near the capital, Kiev, in November is that of a journalist who disappeared four months ago.

In a report to parliament, the prosecutor general Mikhaylo Potebenko said experts were almost certain that the body was that of the thirty-one-year-old jopurnalist, Georgy Gongadze.

He wrote about high-level corruption in Ukraine and ran a website sharply critical of the government.

Mr Gongadze's disappearance caused a huge scandal, especially after the opposition released secret tapes apparently implicating President Kuchma in the affair.

The president denies any involvement. But correspondents say the latest revelation will increase pressure on the Ukrainian leadership for a thorough investigation of the case.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service