Earlier this week, Yuriy Lutsenko asked parliament to approve his resignation, saying the smear campaign against him in the media made it difficult for him to carry out his duties. The largest opposition group, the Party of Regions, has been pressing for Lutsenko's resignation.
The Supreme Rada said in a statement on its website that it asked the government to conduct an inquiry into the alleged incident, which occurred on May 4, and decided in the meantime to suspend Lutsenko.
"The Cabinet of ministers should report the findings to the Supreme Rada on May 19," the assembly said.
German media said airport officials refused to allow Lutsenko and his 19-year-old son to board a flight to Seoul as they were both extremely drunk and behaving inappropriately. They were then reported to have been arrested after fighting with and injuring police officers who were called to the scene.
The Interior Ministry has said the accounts of the incident were based on media reports and were not true. Lutsenko said German police had apologized to him over the incident.
He also said the situation had been used by opponents pursuing their own interests amid ongoing domestic political disputes.
