International police agency Interpol said Friday it was considering a request from Ukraine's new government to issue an arrest warrant for ousted president Viktor Yanukovych. The international police organisation confirmed it had received a request from authorities in Kiev on Wednesday to issue a "Red Notice", or international wanted persons alert, for Yanukovych on charges including abuse of power and murder.

The request "is being assessed by Interpol's office of legal affairs to determine whether it conforms with the organisation's constitution and rules", it said in a statement.

"All Interpol member countries have been informed of the ongoing review."

Ukraine's interim prosecutor said on February 26 that Kiev had requested an international arrest warrant for Yanukovych over the "mass murder" of protesters during the anti-government demonstrations that toppled the pro-Russian leader four days earlier.

At the time, Yanukovych's whereabouts were unknown, though he resurfaced in Russia two days later.

Interpol said on Thursday it was reviewing a request by Ukrainian authorities for it to issue a so-called "red notice" for the arrest of Viktor Yanukovich, who was ousted as its president.

"A request by Ukrainian authorities for an Interpol Red Notice, or international wanted persons alert, for the arrest of Viktor Yanukovich on charges including abuse of power and murder has been received," the France-based agency said in a statement.

The request was received on March 5, it said, without giving any other details.