A human rights group in Ukraine has criticized President Leonid Kuchma for saying that a man accused of mass killings should be executed if he is found guilty.

President Kuchma said that the case of Anatoly Onoprienko was so exceptional that the Council of Europe should be asked to allow his execution.

Ukraine introduced a moratorium on capital punishment last year in response to Council promptings.

Mr Onoprienko, a former seaman, has confessed to fifty-two murders.

The human rights group, Amnesty International, said the president's statement could influence the outcome of Mr Onoprienko's trial.