KIEV, Ukraine -- The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine has asked Germany to assist in organizing a visit to Kharkiv by German doctors who were members of the international commission for the examination of former Ukrainian Premier Yulia Tymoshenko to check whether the hospital in which Tymoshenko is to be treated meets their requirements.
"On April 4, 2012 the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine invited German Ambassador to Ukraine Hans-Jurgen Heimsoeth to a meeting."
"The Ukrainian side passed the German ambassador a request for assistance in organizing a visit to Ukraine by the German doctors who were members of the international medical commission to examine Tymoshenko, so that they could check whether the medical establishment which was selected by the Ukrainian side meets their recommendations," the press secretary of the Foreign Ministry, Oleksandr Dykusarov, said on Wednesday.
According to him, the Embassy of Ukraine in Germany has also sent an invitation from the Ukrainian side to the management and doctors of the Charite Clinic.
"We hope that German doctors can come to Ukraine as soon as possible."
"The quick settlement of this issue will allow the examination and treatment recommended by doctors for Tymoshenko to start at a special establishment outside the Kachanivska prison colony," the diplomat said.
Showing posts with label Tymoshenko. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tymoshenko. Show all posts
Saturday, 7 April 2012
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Ukraine: Allegations Tymoshenko Denied Prison Visits
KHARKIV, Ukraine -- The lawyer for jailed former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko claims he and Tymoshenko’s daughter, Yevgenia Tymoshenko, have again not been allowed into the prison where she is being held before the ex-premier was examined by foreign medics.
Yulia Tymoshenko was seen by German doctors from a western medical team on Wednesday.
The Interfax news agency reported that the Germans left early on Wednesday with the results of their examination in a sealed envelope, which is to remain closed until another round of medical examinations are completed by Canadian doctors with the involvement of the Prosecutor General’s office.
Tymoshenko’s daughter said: “They’re not letting me in for the second day in a row. We don’t know what is going on. We don’t understand what pressure she is under there. Yesterday we had all the prosecutor’s office and prison service representatives there."
"They put a lot of pressure on her to make her agree to the (presence of) Ukrainian doctors, which she has solid grounds to refuse. No, we don’t know either her diagnosis, or what is happening to her.”
Tymoshenko was given a seven-year sentence for financial wrongdoing whilst in office after a trial that the European Union and the United States said was politically motivated.
Yulia Tymoshenko was seen by German doctors from a western medical team on Wednesday.
The Interfax news agency reported that the Germans left early on Wednesday with the results of their examination in a sealed envelope, which is to remain closed until another round of medical examinations are completed by Canadian doctors with the involvement of the Prosecutor General’s office.
Tymoshenko’s daughter said: “They’re not letting me in for the second day in a row. We don’t know what is going on. We don’t understand what pressure she is under there. Yesterday we had all the prosecutor’s office and prison service representatives there."
"They put a lot of pressure on her to make her agree to the (presence of) Ukrainian doctors, which she has solid grounds to refuse. No, we don’t know either her diagnosis, or what is happening to her.”
Tymoshenko was given a seven-year sentence for financial wrongdoing whilst in office after a trial that the European Union and the United States said was politically motivated.
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Ukraine Ex-PM Tymoshenko Moved To Jail-Prison Service
KIEV, Ukraine -- Former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, sentenced to seven years in prison for abuse of office, has been moved to prison from a detention center where she has been held since early August, the state penitentiary service said on Friday.
he move indicated she was unlikely to go free any time soon despite pressure from the European Union, which considered her trial politically motivated and put off the signing of key agreements with Ukraine because of her sentence.
Tymoshenko is the fiercest opponent of President Viktor Yanukovich, who narrowly beat her in the presidential run-off in February 2010 after losing his earlier bid for the presidency because of the 2004 "Orange Revolution" protests which she led.
A local court sentenced Tymoshenko to seven years in prison in October, saying she had exceeded her powers when forcing through a 2009 gas deal with Russia.
Tymoshenko, who denies any wrongdoing, lost an appeal against the verdict one week ago.
"Tymoshenko has been moved to a prison in the Kharkiv region," the state penitentiary service said in a statement.
The European Union, which had planned to initial agreements on political association and free trade with Ukraine at a summit this month, put off the signing and cited Tymoshenko's case as an example of selective justice in the former Soviet republic.
Yanukovich has refused to intervene and the parliament, dominated by his supporters, has turned down several proposals to remove her alleged offence from the criminal code.
Tymoshenko's lawyers say she hopes that the European Court for Human Rights, where she has filed a case against Ukraine, will exonerate her.
The court said this month it would fast-track the case.
Tymoshenko, 51, has been suffering from back pains in the last few weeks and cannot walk, according to her lawyers who have said she should not be moved from the detention center because of this.
But the penitentiary service said she was fit to move.
"Before departure, Tymoshenko was examined by doctors who stated that her health allowed her to be moved," it said, adding that Tymoshenko travelled in a "comfortable" van.
he move indicated she was unlikely to go free any time soon despite pressure from the European Union, which considered her trial politically motivated and put off the signing of key agreements with Ukraine because of her sentence.
Tymoshenko is the fiercest opponent of President Viktor Yanukovich, who narrowly beat her in the presidential run-off in February 2010 after losing his earlier bid for the presidency because of the 2004 "Orange Revolution" protests which she led.
A local court sentenced Tymoshenko to seven years in prison in October, saying she had exceeded her powers when forcing through a 2009 gas deal with Russia.
Tymoshenko, who denies any wrongdoing, lost an appeal against the verdict one week ago.
"Tymoshenko has been moved to a prison in the Kharkiv region," the state penitentiary service said in a statement.
The European Union, which had planned to initial agreements on political association and free trade with Ukraine at a summit this month, put off the signing and cited Tymoshenko's case as an example of selective justice in the former Soviet republic.
Yanukovich has refused to intervene and the parliament, dominated by his supporters, has turned down several proposals to remove her alleged offence from the criminal code.
Tymoshenko's lawyers say she hopes that the European Court for Human Rights, where she has filed a case against Ukraine, will exonerate her.
The court said this month it would fast-track the case.
Tymoshenko, 51, has been suffering from back pains in the last few weeks and cannot walk, according to her lawyers who have said she should not be moved from the detention center because of this.
But the penitentiary service said she was fit to move.
"Before departure, Tymoshenko was examined by doctors who stated that her health allowed her to be moved," it said, adding that Tymoshenko travelled in a "comfortable" van.
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Yanukovych Set To Sacrifice European Future And Keep Tymoshenko In Prison
KIEV, Ukraine -- As the EU-Ukraine summit scheduled for December 19 approaches, the chances for concluding an association agreement decrease.
Although the two sides have completed their association and free trade talks, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych’s determination to keep in prison his bitter rival, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, makes the logical conclusion of the talks with the signing of the agreement and its further ratification by the legislatures of EU member states nearly impossible.
The efforts made in November by several EU leaders to persuade Yanukovych to change his mind on Tymoshenko proved futile.
Apparently, Yanukovych either believes that the EU will proceed with the association agreement despite Tymoshenko, as Ukraine is too important to lose to Russia, or keeping the most popular oppositionist incarcerated ahead of the October 2012 parliamentary elections is more important to him than relations with the EU.
On November 15, the Ukrainian parliament refused to decriminalize the abuse of power law upon which basis Tymoshenko was indicted in October.
Yanukovych’s Party of Regions insisted that the law would not be changed for the sake of one person.
Yanukovych had mentioned the possibility of decriminalization, while meeting EU leaders earlier this fall, so many hoped this would be the way to resolve the situation.
Meeting Polish President, Bronislaw Komorowski, and German President, Christian Wulff, in Poland on November 15, Yanukovych admitted that there may be problems with ratifying the association agreement due to Tymoshenko’s imprisonment.
However, Yanukovych reiterated that he would not interfere with the courts and that Tymoshenko was not an opposition leader but prime minister when she exceeded her authority in preparing gas contracts with Russia’s Gazprom in 2009.
The efforts made in November by several EU leaders to persuade Yanukovych to change his mind on Tymoshenko proved futile.
Apparently, Yanukovych either believes that the EU will proceed with the association agreement despite Tymoshenko, as Ukraine is too important to lose to Russia, or keeping the most popular oppositionist incarcerated ahead of the October 2012 parliamentary elections is more important to him than relations with the EU.
On November 15, the Ukrainian parliament refused to decriminalize the abuse of power law upon which basis Tymoshenko was indicted in October.
Yanukovych’s Party of Regions insisted that the law would not be changed for the sake of one person.
Yanukovych had mentioned the possibility of decriminalization, while meeting EU leaders earlier this fall, so many hoped this would be the way to resolve the situation.
Meeting Polish President, Bronislaw Komorowski, and German President, Christian Wulff, in Poland on November 15, Yanukovych admitted that there may be problems with ratifying the association agreement due to Tymoshenko’s imprisonment.
However, Yanukovych reiterated that he would not interfere with the courts and that Tymoshenko was not an opposition leader but prime minister when she exceeded her authority in preparing gas contracts with Russia’s Gazprom in 2009.
Yanukovych repeats this in all his meetings with visitors from the EU.
On November 22, it was Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite’s turn to try to persuade Yanukovych to change his mind.
She told him in Kiev that the results of the summit would depend on the resolution of the situation around Tymoshenko, adding that this was a message that the EU authorized her to convey to Yanukovych.
The court’s decision to imprison Tymoshenko for seven years shocked the EU, as it is believed that the aim was to politically neutralize Tymoshenko, said Grybauskaite.
The only positive outcome of Grybauskaite’s plea for Tymoshenko was that Yanukovych after meeting her instructed the health ministry to ensure that Tymoshenko, who has had spinal problems, be properly examined in a hospital.
At the same time, Yanukovych threatened that Kiev would take a pause with the EU “if certain politicians and countries think that Ukraine does not match” EU criteria.
The Polish Foreign Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, and his Swedish counterpart, Carl Bildt, paid an enigmatic visit to Yanukovych’s stronghold of Donetsk on November 23, to meet Ukraine’s richest businessman and Yanukovych’s old ally Rinat Akhmetov; who is viewed by many as pro-European.
No details about the meeting have emerged, but the Ukrainian weekly Zerkalo Nedeli suggested on November 26 that Sikorski and Bildt overestimated Akhmetov’s influence on Yanukovych, as far as his attitude to Tymoshenko is concerned.
At the same time, a report by Interfax on November 23 suggested that Yanukovych would ignore the summit on December 19 and visit Moscow on that day instead.
On November 22, it was Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite’s turn to try to persuade Yanukovych to change his mind.
She told him in Kiev that the results of the summit would depend on the resolution of the situation around Tymoshenko, adding that this was a message that the EU authorized her to convey to Yanukovych.
The court’s decision to imprison Tymoshenko for seven years shocked the EU, as it is believed that the aim was to politically neutralize Tymoshenko, said Grybauskaite.
The only positive outcome of Grybauskaite’s plea for Tymoshenko was that Yanukovych after meeting her instructed the health ministry to ensure that Tymoshenko, who has had spinal problems, be properly examined in a hospital.
At the same time, Yanukovych threatened that Kiev would take a pause with the EU “if certain politicians and countries think that Ukraine does not match” EU criteria.
The Polish Foreign Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, and his Swedish counterpart, Carl Bildt, paid an enigmatic visit to Yanukovych’s stronghold of Donetsk on November 23, to meet Ukraine’s richest businessman and Yanukovych’s old ally Rinat Akhmetov; who is viewed by many as pro-European.
No details about the meeting have emerged, but the Ukrainian weekly Zerkalo Nedeli suggested on November 26 that Sikorski and Bildt overestimated Akhmetov’s influence on Yanukovych, as far as his attitude to Tymoshenko is concerned.
At the same time, a report by Interfax on November 23 suggested that Yanukovych would ignore the summit on December 19 and visit Moscow on that day instead.
On November 24, the business daily Kommersant-Ukraine cited its sources as saying that the report in Interfax was aimed by Yanukovych’s team at testing the EU’s reaction.
However, visiting Polish President, Bronislaw Komorowski, made it clear on November 28 that the EU was firm in its belief that by keeping Tymoshenko behind bars Kiev demonstrated that it did not meet the EU’s criteria for treatment of the opposition.
Komorowski reiterated that Tymoshenko’s imprisonment would slow the process of ratification of the EU-Ukraine association agreement.
He added that he had hoped that Tymoshenko’s offenses would be decriminalized.
For his part, Yanukovych only promised Komorowski to improve the conditions of Tymoshenko’s incarceration, while Prosecutor-General Viktor Pshonka insisted in a TV interview that politics had nothing to do with Tymoshenko’s imprisonment.
Meanwhile, it has become obvious that the association agreement will not even be initialed on December 19.
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister, Pavlo Klimkin, said on November 23 that Kiev had intended to only complete the talks by the summit, while the association agreement could be signed later.
European Commission representative in Kiev, Jose Manuel Pinto Teixeira confirmed that the agreement would not be initialed at the summit.
Diplomats are explaining this by referring to technical problems, but it is clear from statements by EU leaders that the main problem is Tymoshenko’s imprisonment.
Yanukovych’s argument that he may not interfere with the courts is ambiguous.
However, visiting Polish President, Bronislaw Komorowski, made it clear on November 28 that the EU was firm in its belief that by keeping Tymoshenko behind bars Kiev demonstrated that it did not meet the EU’s criteria for treatment of the opposition.
Komorowski reiterated that Tymoshenko’s imprisonment would slow the process of ratification of the EU-Ukraine association agreement.
He added that he had hoped that Tymoshenko’s offenses would be decriminalized.
For his part, Yanukovych only promised Komorowski to improve the conditions of Tymoshenko’s incarceration, while Prosecutor-General Viktor Pshonka insisted in a TV interview that politics had nothing to do with Tymoshenko’s imprisonment.
Meanwhile, it has become obvious that the association agreement will not even be initialed on December 19.
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister, Pavlo Klimkin, said on November 23 that Kiev had intended to only complete the talks by the summit, while the association agreement could be signed later.
European Commission representative in Kiev, Jose Manuel Pinto Teixeira confirmed that the agreement would not be initialed at the summit.
Diplomats are explaining this by referring to technical problems, but it is clear from statements by EU leaders that the main problem is Tymoshenko’s imprisonment.
Yanukovych’s argument that he may not interfere with the courts is ambiguous.
Second, Yanukovych could have asked his party caucus, which dominates parliament, to approve decriminalization of the articles under which Tymoshenko was convicted, but he chose not to.
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Tymoshenko Too Ill For Trial
KIEV, Ukraine -- Yulia Tymoshenko, due to declining health, probably won't attend a court session in Ukraine appealing her prison sentence, a supporter said.
Tymoshenko is serving a seven-year prison term after being convicted of abusing her authority when, as prime minister in 2009, she helped broker a gas deal with Russian energy company Gazprom.
That deal returned gas supplies to Ukraine but the current government claims it ruined an economy battered by recession.
A Ukrainian court of appeals is to hear the case Thursday in Kiev.
A colleague, however, said the former prime minister likely won't attend because of poor health.
"Yulia Tymoshenko is unlikely to participate in the court hearing because, unfortunately, her health is deteriorating quickly," Oleksandr Turchynov, deputy head of the opposition the All-Ukrainian Union "Fatherland" party was quoted by her Web site as saying.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych ordered Tymoshenko transferred to a pretrial detention center's "European-standard" medical ward earlier this week.
Doctors during Tymoshenko's most recent checkup were unable to pinpoint the cause of her ailments though her lawyers have said she's unable to get out bed.
Her Western supporters say the charges against her are politically motivated. She lost a bruising 2010 campaign for president to Yanukovych.
That deal returned gas supplies to Ukraine but the current government claims it ruined an economy battered by recession.
A Ukrainian court of appeals is to hear the case Thursday in Kiev.
A colleague, however, said the former prime minister likely won't attend because of poor health.
"Yulia Tymoshenko is unlikely to participate in the court hearing because, unfortunately, her health is deteriorating quickly," Oleksandr Turchynov, deputy head of the opposition the All-Ukrainian Union "Fatherland" party was quoted by her Web site as saying.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych ordered Tymoshenko transferred to a pretrial detention center's "European-standard" medical ward earlier this week.
Doctors during Tymoshenko's most recent checkup were unable to pinpoint the cause of her ailments though her lawyers have said she's unable to get out bed.
Her Western supporters say the charges against her are politically motivated. She lost a bruising 2010 campaign for president to Yanukovych.
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Ukraine's Tymoshenko Back In Prison After Medical Check-Up
KIEV, Ukraine -- ailed Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko has been returned to her prison cell after a medical tests at a hospital in Kiev indicated she was not suffering from any life-threatening medical condition, media reports quoting Tymoshenko's lawyer and prison officials said Wednesday.
Ukraine's prison service confirmed in a statement that Tymoshenko had undergone medical checks at a hospital in the capital city, stating: "As a result of Tymoshenko's checks, no life-threatening pathological changes were found."
Tymoshenko was reportedly brought back to prison from the hospital by about 10 am on Wednesday, just hours after she was taken for the medical check-up.
Her lawyer Sergei Vlasenko expressed doubts about the medical checkup, saying: "We don't know what they did to her or what the results are."
The developments come a day after President Viktor Yanukovych authorized Tymoshenko's release from prison temporarily to get medical treatment for serious health problems, including severe back pain.
"I was informed that the system [of medical treatment in jail]... is not up to the required standards. So this treatment or medical services will have to be provided in medical institutions in Kiev, in the coming days, either today or tomorrow," Yanukovych told a news conference on Tuesday.
Last month, a court in Kiev had found Tymoshenko guilty of exceeding her powers in signing the 2009 gas contracts with Russia and sentenced her to seven years in prison.
She was also ordered to pay a compensation of 1.5 billion hryvnya ($187 million) lost by the state-run Naftogaz as a result of the deal.
The 50-year-old opposition leader insists that her trial was a politically-motivated ploy of her arch rival President Yanukovych to disqualify her from contesting the October 2012 parliamentary and the 2015 presidential elections.
Tymoshenko, leader of the Batkivschyna All-Ukrainian Association party, said after the court ruling that she would challenge the verdict in the European Court of Human Rights.
Tymoshenko was reportedly brought back to prison from the hospital by about 10 am on Wednesday, just hours after she was taken for the medical check-up.
Her lawyer Sergei Vlasenko expressed doubts about the medical checkup, saying: "We don't know what they did to her or what the results are."
The developments come a day after President Viktor Yanukovych authorized Tymoshenko's release from prison temporarily to get medical treatment for serious health problems, including severe back pain.
"I was informed that the system [of medical treatment in jail]... is not up to the required standards. So this treatment or medical services will have to be provided in medical institutions in Kiev, in the coming days, either today or tomorrow," Yanukovych told a news conference on Tuesday.
Last month, a court in Kiev had found Tymoshenko guilty of exceeding her powers in signing the 2009 gas contracts with Russia and sentenced her to seven years in prison.
She was also ordered to pay a compensation of 1.5 billion hryvnya ($187 million) lost by the state-run Naftogaz as a result of the deal.
The 50-year-old opposition leader insists that her trial was a politically-motivated ploy of her arch rival President Yanukovych to disqualify her from contesting the October 2012 parliamentary and the 2015 presidential elections.
Tymoshenko, leader of the Batkivschyna All-Ukrainian Association party, said after the court ruling that she would challenge the verdict in the European Court of Human Rights.
However, she has since been charged with new offenses dating back to the 1990s, including tax evasion, theft and concealing foreign currency revenues.
Tymoshenko, who was Ukraine's first female Prime Minister, and former President Viktor Yushchenko are considered to be the leading lights of the the 2004 'Orange Revolution' that ousted President Yanukovych from power by getting his fraud-tainted election victory canceled.
Yushchenko has since faded into political oblivion.
Nonetheless, the Kremlin-backed Yanukovych got re-elected as President in the February 2010 election, defeating Tymoshenko by just 3.5 percentage points.
Tymoshenko lost her premiership in March 2010 after losing a vote of confidence and is now Ukraine's Opposition leader.
Many of Tymoshenko's former Cabinet colleagues and political allies are currently in prison on various charges ranging from corruption to power abuse, prompting concerns about the country's political future.
The United States has condemned the case against Tymoshenko and some of her allies as "selective prosecution of political opponents."
The case against Tymoshenko had threatened to derail Ukraine's European Union membership ambitions.
Ahead of her sentencing, the EU had warned President Yanukovych that the former Soviet Republic risks losing a possible EU entry if Tymoshenko was convicted in the case.
Ukraine's EU accession now seems doubtful.
Tymoshenko, who was Ukraine's first female Prime Minister, and former President Viktor Yushchenko are considered to be the leading lights of the the 2004 'Orange Revolution' that ousted President Yanukovych from power by getting his fraud-tainted election victory canceled.
Yushchenko has since faded into political oblivion.
Nonetheless, the Kremlin-backed Yanukovych got re-elected as President in the February 2010 election, defeating Tymoshenko by just 3.5 percentage points.
Tymoshenko lost her premiership in March 2010 after losing a vote of confidence and is now Ukraine's Opposition leader.
Many of Tymoshenko's former Cabinet colleagues and political allies are currently in prison on various charges ranging from corruption to power abuse, prompting concerns about the country's political future.
The United States has condemned the case against Tymoshenko and some of her allies as "selective prosecution of political opponents."
The case against Tymoshenko had threatened to derail Ukraine's European Union membership ambitions.
Ahead of her sentencing, the EU had warned President Yanukovych that the former Soviet Republic risks losing a possible EU entry if Tymoshenko was convicted in the case.
Ukraine's EU accession now seems doubtful.
Tymoshenko’s Involvement In Murder ‘Irrefutable,’ Says Ukrainian Prosecutor
KIEV, Ukraine -- The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office has “irrefutable evidence” of former Prime Minsiter Yulia Tymoshenko’s involvement in the murder of a Ukrainian lawmaker and businessman in 1996, its first deputy head, Renat Kuzmin, said on Saturday.
Yevgeny Shcherban, a Supreme Rada deputy and head of financial corporation Anton, was shot and killed at the airport in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk in November 1996.
Shcherban’s wife and an airport employee were also killed in the attack.
Eight people were arrested and jailed over the murder in the early 2000s. Three of them received life sentences.
Pavel Lazarenko, who served as Ukraine’s prime minister in 1996-1997, has been indicted for ordering the murder.
He is currently serving a prison term in the United States for money laundering.
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office previously said it was examining Tymoshenko’s possible links to the case.
In an interview with Ukraine’s Inter TV channel early on Saturday, Kuzmin said “money has been transferred to the killers’ bank accounts from firms owned by Lazarenko and Tymoshenko,” who was Lazarenko’s ally in the 1990s.
“Moreover,” he said, “the Somali Enterprises firm, which transferred money for Shcherban’s killing, also transferred money for Tymoshenko to buy fur coats, jewelry, cars, or to pay for hotels, restaurants and so on.”
Tymoshenko’s spokeswoman Natalia Lysova has dismissed claims that her boss could be linked to the lawmaker’s murder as “rubbish.”
Tymoshenko, currently Ukraine’s leading opposition figure, was sentenced to seven years in prison in October on charges of abusing her authority by pushing through a gas deal with Russia in 2009.
Shcherban’s wife and an airport employee were also killed in the attack.
Eight people were arrested and jailed over the murder in the early 2000s. Three of them received life sentences.
Pavel Lazarenko, who served as Ukraine’s prime minister in 1996-1997, has been indicted for ordering the murder.
He is currently serving a prison term in the United States for money laundering.
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office previously said it was examining Tymoshenko’s possible links to the case.
In an interview with Ukraine’s Inter TV channel early on Saturday, Kuzmin said “money has been transferred to the killers’ bank accounts from firms owned by Lazarenko and Tymoshenko,” who was Lazarenko’s ally in the 1990s.
“Moreover,” he said, “the Somali Enterprises firm, which transferred money for Shcherban’s killing, also transferred money for Tymoshenko to buy fur coats, jewelry, cars, or to pay for hotels, restaurants and so on.”
Tymoshenko’s spokeswoman Natalia Lysova has dismissed claims that her boss could be linked to the lawmaker’s murder as “rubbish.”
Tymoshenko, currently Ukraine’s leading opposition figure, was sentenced to seven years in prison in October on charges of abusing her authority by pushing through a gas deal with Russia in 2009.
Her trial, which has been widely seen as politically motivated, sparked strong Western criticism, with the European Union threatening to stop negotiations with Ukraine on its association with the 27-nation bloc.
Tymoshenko’s lawyers have already appealed the verdict, which has also been criticized by Russia.
Other charges Tymoshenko faces include the misuse of funds received from the sale of greenhouse gas discharge quotas under the Kyoto Protocol, the misappropriation of funds to purchase ambulances, and illegal operations of the United Energy Systems of Ukraine (UESU) company in the late 1990s when Tymoshenko was its head.
Tymoshenko’s lawyers have already appealed the verdict, which has also been criticized by Russia.
Other charges Tymoshenko faces include the misuse of funds received from the sale of greenhouse gas discharge quotas under the Kyoto Protocol, the misappropriation of funds to purchase ambulances, and illegal operations of the United Energy Systems of Ukraine (UESU) company in the late 1990s when Tymoshenko was its head.
Sunday, 20 November 2011
It Never Rains, But It Pours On Tymoshenko
MANHATTAN, USA -- Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, whose August imprisonment on corruption charges in her homeland was denounced as political payback from her successor, faces a federal lawsuit here from a gas company that claims she owes it $18.3 million.
Tymoshenko, an economist, became wealthy in the gas industry before she became a leader of the 2004-2005 Orange Revolution, in which the rigged electoral victory of Viktor Yanukovych was canceled, and Viktor Yushchenko was elected president in a second round of voting.
Yushchenko fulfilled a campaign promise and appointed Tymoshenko prime minister, though political infighting caused him to dismiss her 7 months later.
She became prime minister again in a coalition government with Yushchenko in 2007, though the two became increasingly hostile to one another.
When their old political enemy Yanukovych defeated Tymoshenko in the February 2010 presidential election, Tymoshenko denounced it as rigged, though she remained prime minister under Ukraine's parliamentary system.
Yanukovych forced her from office and Tymoshenko became the administration's most vocal and visible critic. In an April lawsuit this year, Tymoshenko claimed the Yanukovych administration had dismantled Ukraine's independent judiciary by gaining the "allegiance of at least 16 of the 20 members on the Supreme Council of Judges."
Corruption charges against her followed, and on Oct. 11 this year, after a trial in which Yanukovych testified against her, Tymoshenko was sentenced to 7 years in prison for abuse of power, and was ordered to pay Ukraine $188 million.
The charges included claims that Tymoshenko had exceeded her power as prime minister by ordering Naftogaz, Ukraine's national energy company, to sign a natural gas deal with Russia.
Yushchenko fulfilled a campaign promise and appointed Tymoshenko prime minister, though political infighting caused him to dismiss her 7 months later.
She became prime minister again in a coalition government with Yushchenko in 2007, though the two became increasingly hostile to one another.
When their old political enemy Yanukovych defeated Tymoshenko in the February 2010 presidential election, Tymoshenko denounced it as rigged, though she remained prime minister under Ukraine's parliamentary system.
Yanukovych forced her from office and Tymoshenko became the administration's most vocal and visible critic. In an April lawsuit this year, Tymoshenko claimed the Yanukovych administration had dismantled Ukraine's independent judiciary by gaining the "allegiance of at least 16 of the 20 members on the Supreme Council of Judges."
Corruption charges against her followed, and on Oct. 11 this year, after a trial in which Yanukovych testified against her, Tymoshenko was sentenced to 7 years in prison for abuse of power, and was ordered to pay Ukraine $188 million.
The charges included claims that Tymoshenko had exceeded her power as prime minister by ordering Naftogaz, Ukraine's national energy company, to sign a natural gas deal with Russia.
Critics of Yanukovych claim he threw her in prison because she was likely to defeat him in the next election.
Tymoshenko compared her sentencing to Stalin's purges. The United States, the European Union and Russia all condemned the verdict.
On Friday, Nov. 2, three weeks after her sentencing, Massachusetts-based Universal Trading & Investment Co. (UTICo) sued Tymoshenko in Manhattan, trying to collect on a 6-year-old judgment from another U.S. court.
In its 27-page federal complaint, UTICo accuses Tymoshenko of decades of corrupt dealings through her company, United Energy Systems of Ukraine (UESU).
Tymoshenko compared her sentencing to Stalin's purges. The United States, the European Union and Russia all condemned the verdict.
On Friday, Nov. 2, three weeks after her sentencing, Massachusetts-based Universal Trading & Investment Co. (UTICo) sued Tymoshenko in Manhattan, trying to collect on a 6-year-old judgment from another U.S. court.
In its 27-page federal complaint, UTICo accuses Tymoshenko of decades of corrupt dealings through her company, United Energy Systems of Ukraine (UESU).
Tymoshenko became UESU's founder in 1995 and has become a garnishee unlawfully holding UESU's assets under her personal control," the complaint states.
Apart from her business activities, Tymoshenko has also engaged in a political career in Ukraine, twice rising to a position of a Prime Minister, using government positions to advance the interests of UESU.
Both times Tymoshenko was removed from those positions on allegations of corruption.
Tymoshenko has faced numerous criminal charges alleging bribery, conversion and fraud. In October of 2011 she was convicted in Ukraine was further charged, in a new case, with the financial crimes as the principal of UESU.
UTICo accused UESU of racketeering in Boston Federal Court in 1997. Discovery dragged on for almost 8 years until UTICo won an $18.3 million default judgment.
In connection with UTICo's judgment ultimately entered on July 7, 2005 of UTICo's judgment, Tymoshenko intensified her efforts to circumvent its collection, acting in an enterprise with UESU, UTICo's complaint states.
When the outcome in UTICo's litigation was already clear, Tymoshenko paid $125,000 to an intermediary to bribe the judges of the Supreme Court to make a decision shielding UESU and its principals from liability.
Apart from her business activities, Tymoshenko has also engaged in a political career in Ukraine, twice rising to a position of a Prime Minister, using government positions to advance the interests of UESU.
Both times Tymoshenko was removed from those positions on allegations of corruption.
Tymoshenko has faced numerous criminal charges alleging bribery, conversion and fraud. In October of 2011 she was convicted in Ukraine was further charged, in a new case, with the financial crimes as the principal of UESU.
UTICo accused UESU of racketeering in Boston Federal Court in 1997. Discovery dragged on for almost 8 years until UTICo won an $18.3 million default judgment.
In connection with UTICo's judgment ultimately entered on July 7, 2005 of UTICo's judgment, Tymoshenko intensified her efforts to circumvent its collection, acting in an enterprise with UESU, UTICo's complaint states.
When the outcome in UTICo's litigation was already clear, Tymoshenko paid $125,000 to an intermediary to bribe the judges of the Supreme Court to make a decision shielding UESU and its principals from liability.
On information and belief, the sources was UESU's proceeds. It is well established in the public domain and follows from the charges in Ukraine that Tymoshenko paid other bribes to obtain decisions favorable to making UESU judgment-proof.
UTICo claims that "Tymoshenko, illegally interfering into the judiciary in Ukraine, obtained on August 19, 2005 a decision, lifting the government's lien on UESU's assets for about $62.8 million. On November 18, 2005 Tymoshenko illegally forced the Supreme Court's closing all UESU-related charges."
UTICo demands the $18.3 million, and treble damages, on a slew of charges, including RICO conspiracy, conversion, unjust enrichment, and fraudulent conveyance.
It is represented by Peter Joseph of New York City and George Lambert of Washington.
UTICo claims that "Tymoshenko, illegally interfering into the judiciary in Ukraine, obtained on August 19, 2005 a decision, lifting the government's lien on UESU's assets for about $62.8 million. On November 18, 2005 Tymoshenko illegally forced the Supreme Court's closing all UESU-related charges."
UTICo demands the $18.3 million, and treble damages, on a slew of charges, including RICO conspiracy, conversion, unjust enrichment, and fraudulent conveyance.
It is represented by Peter Joseph of New York City and George Lambert of Washington.
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Ukraine heaps more charges on Tymoshenko
Ukraine's former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, sentenced to seven years in prison for abuse of office, has been charged with tax evasion, theft and concealing foreign currency revenues, the State Tax Administration said on Friday.
The new charges indicate that she is less likely to go free in the near future despite calls from the West for her release, keeping Ukraine's ties with the European Union strained.
The charges are linked to her activities as head of gas trading firm United Energy Systems of Ukraine, a post she held in the 1990s, an administration statement said.
Her lawyer Serhiy Vlasenko dismissed them as "baseless".
Tymoshenko was found guilty on Oct. 11 of abusing her powers as prime minister in 2009 when she forced through a gas supply deal between Ukrainian state energy firm Naftogaz and Russia's Gazprom.
Tymoshenko has denied all charges against her and said her trial reflected a political vendetta waged by President Viktor Yanukovich, who narrowly beat her in the former Soviet republic's 2010 presidential election.
Echoing her position, the European Union has warned Ukraine it may not sign bilateral deals on political association and free trade if Tymoshenko remains in jail.
There is a possibility her conviction will be overturned by an appeals court or reclassified as a non-felony by parliament.
However, state prosecutors have said they could launch more cases against Tymoshenko and were studying her possible involvement in a 1996 contract killing of a parliament deputy -- which her supporters have denied.
Supporters of Tymoshenko, 50, say her health is deteriorating as she has been in a detention centre since early August and now has trouble walking.
A member of a state-appointed medical team tasked with assessing Tymoshenko's health said on Friday she had been told to stay in bed but a diagnosis of her illness had not yet been established, according to Interfax news agency.
Tymoshenko was a leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution which doomed Yanukovich's first bid for the presidency. She served twice as prime minister before losing the 2010 election to Yanukovich in a bitterly fought runoff.
Her supporters say he is seeking to extinguish her as a political force before a parliamentary election next October.
The new charges indicate that she is less likely to go free in the near future despite calls from the West for her release, keeping Ukraine's ties with the European Union strained.
The charges are linked to her activities as head of gas trading firm United Energy Systems of Ukraine, a post she held in the 1990s, an administration statement said.
Her lawyer Serhiy Vlasenko dismissed them as "baseless".
Tymoshenko was found guilty on Oct. 11 of abusing her powers as prime minister in 2009 when she forced through a gas supply deal between Ukrainian state energy firm Naftogaz and Russia's Gazprom.
Tymoshenko has denied all charges against her and said her trial reflected a political vendetta waged by President Viktor Yanukovich, who narrowly beat her in the former Soviet republic's 2010 presidential election.
Echoing her position, the European Union has warned Ukraine it may not sign bilateral deals on political association and free trade if Tymoshenko remains in jail.
There is a possibility her conviction will be overturned by an appeals court or reclassified as a non-felony by parliament.
However, state prosecutors have said they could launch more cases against Tymoshenko and were studying her possible involvement in a 1996 contract killing of a parliament deputy -- which her supporters have denied.
Supporters of Tymoshenko, 50, say her health is deteriorating as she has been in a detention centre since early August and now has trouble walking.
A member of a state-appointed medical team tasked with assessing Tymoshenko's health said on Friday she had been told to stay in bed but a diagnosis of her illness had not yet been established, according to Interfax news agency.
Tymoshenko was a leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution which doomed Yanukovich's first bid for the presidency. She served twice as prime minister before losing the 2010 election to Yanukovich in a bitterly fought runoff.
Her supporters say he is seeking to extinguish her as a political force before a parliamentary election next October.
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Anger Over Murder Charge Against Ukraine’s Tymoshenko
UZZHOROD, Ukraine -- There is anger in western Ukraine over plans to prosecute jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko for her alleged involvement in a contract killing of a prominent Ukrainian lawmaker and businessman.
Ukraine's Deputy Prosecutor General Renat Kuzmin says investigators are looking into claims that money of the 50-year-old opposition leader was used to assassinate legislator Yevhen Shcherban and his wife in 1996.
Kuzim said Tymoshenko could be involved in the crime, along with Pavlo Lazarenko, who was prime minister at the time and has since been jailed in the United States for fraud and money laundering.
"We have a transcript of a witness being questioned in the United States where the witness states directly that the murder of Shcherban was paid for from Lazarenko and Tymoshenko's accounts," Kuzmin added in published remarks.
Tymoshenko's spokeswoman Natalya Lisova dismissed the allegation, saying: "This is absurd. The government desire to get rid of political opposition has crossed all limits."
Kuzim said Tymoshenko could be involved in the crime, along with Pavlo Lazarenko, who was prime minister at the time and has since been jailed in the United States for fraud and money laundering.
"We have a transcript of a witness being questioned in the United States where the witness states directly that the murder of Shcherban was paid for from Lazarenko and Tymoshenko's accounts," Kuzmin added in published remarks.
Tymoshenko's spokeswoman Natalya Lisova dismissed the allegation, saying: "This is absurd. The government desire to get rid of political opposition has crossed all limits."
Tymoshenko was already sentenced to seven years in jail last month after being found guilty of violating legal procedures while approving a natural gas import contract with Russia in 2009.
She has appealed the ruling, but that process could take months, trial observers said.
The latest murder charge comes on top of separate investigations into other alleged wrongdoings while in office and earlier as boss of an energy firm in the 1990s.
But in the western border town of Uzzhorod several residents call the murder charge against Tymoshenko "selective anger" by frustrated authorities.
Western Ukraine was a key supporters base of Tymoshenko.
Yet, even a supporter of her political arch rival President Viktor Yanukovich has his doubts.
"Ofcourse they have to punish crimes but not only those of Tymoshenko," said 56-year-old Ivan Shangin, director, director of a sport school in Uzzhorod. "I think the allegations have been prompted by her success and popularity as opposition leader."
She has appealed the ruling, but that process could take months, trial observers said.
The latest murder charge comes on top of separate investigations into other alleged wrongdoings while in office and earlier as boss of an energy firm in the 1990s.
But in the western border town of Uzzhorod several residents call the murder charge against Tymoshenko "selective anger" by frustrated authorities.
Western Ukraine was a key supporters base of Tymoshenko.
Yet, even a supporter of her political arch rival President Viktor Yanukovich has his doubts.
"Ofcourse they have to punish crimes but not only those of Tymoshenko," said 56-year-old Ivan Shangin, director, director of a sport school in Uzzhorod. "I think the allegations have been prompted by her success and popularity as opposition leader."
Youth worker Eduard Zales, 25, shares that opinion. "There is not enough evidence for the murder charge. Those who prosecute Tymoshenko are themselves criminals."
Yet, Tymoshenko posters, including a huge photo of the stunning blond with a white tiger, have all but disappeared in downtown Uzzhorod.
At least some of the town's 120,000 residents still remembering the Soviet-era appear afraid when asked about Tymoshenko.
They realize that pro-Russian President Yanukovich is firmly in power.
He has denied wrongdoing saying Tymoshenko's trial is not politically motivated. But that doesn't convince residents here.
Yet, Tymoshenko posters, including a huge photo of the stunning blond with a white tiger, have all but disappeared in downtown Uzzhorod.
At least some of the town's 120,000 residents still remembering the Soviet-era appear afraid when asked about Tymoshenko.
They realize that pro-Russian President Yanukovich is firmly in power.
He has denied wrongdoing saying Tymoshenko's trial is not politically motivated. But that doesn't convince residents here.
They also express worries about the power and corruption of opposition-turned-Yanukovich allies, including judges, prosecutors and municipal authorities, especially in this key gateway to nearby EU nations Slovakia and Hungary.
BosNewsLife met the sister of a European Union citizen living here who said her family was negotiating a $30,000 dollar bribe with an Uzhhorod court to get him out of an overcrowded prison where he is awaiting a ruling on drugs charges. She spoke on condition of anonymity.
Uzhhorod also made headlines when Svetlana Milchevich, an evangelical voice of the voiceless with her public fight against abuse of power and corruption, died in 2009 after officials refused to allow her to seek medical treatment in neighboring Hungary. She was 64.
Current Prime Minister Mykola Azarov told BosNewsLife before his election that his government would crackdown on corruption, including in border areas such as Uzzhorod, where impoverished Christians have appealed to authorities to end widespread "criminal behavior" by local authorities.
BosNewsLife met the sister of a European Union citizen living here who said her family was negotiating a $30,000 dollar bribe with an Uzhhorod court to get him out of an overcrowded prison where he is awaiting a ruling on drugs charges. She spoke on condition of anonymity.
Uzhhorod also made headlines when Svetlana Milchevich, an evangelical voice of the voiceless with her public fight against abuse of power and corruption, died in 2009 after officials refused to allow her to seek medical treatment in neighboring Hungary. She was 64.
Current Prime Minister Mykola Azarov told BosNewsLife before his election that his government would crackdown on corruption, including in border areas such as Uzzhorod, where impoverished Christians have appealed to authorities to end widespread "criminal behavior" by local authorities.
The European Union has become increasingly impatient.
Last month the 27-nation block indefinitely postponed plans for Yanukovich to visit Brussels and demanded progress on the rule of law in Ukraine.
EU officials say preparations for a landmark free trade and association agreement with Ukraine continues, but warn ratification by European parliaments is in doubt due to rule-of-law and judicial concerns in the former Soviet nation.
President Yanukovich claims he remains optimistic. "The reforms of the judicial system should not be an area of disappointment for the EU’s leaders," he said in a recent interview.
"We realize that our legal standards need to change...We are doing this as part of the process of EU integration, what we are doing is for our own sake."
Last month the 27-nation block indefinitely postponed plans for Yanukovich to visit Brussels and demanded progress on the rule of law in Ukraine.
EU officials say preparations for a landmark free trade and association agreement with Ukraine continues, but warn ratification by European parliaments is in doubt due to rule-of-law and judicial concerns in the former Soviet nation.
President Yanukovich claims he remains optimistic. "The reforms of the judicial system should not be an area of disappointment for the EU’s leaders," he said in a recent interview.
"We realize that our legal standards need to change...We are doing this as part of the process of EU integration, what we are doing is for our own sake."
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Tymoshenko Prosecution Is A Dead End For Ukraine
KIEV, Ukraine -- Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, Herman von Rompuy, Jose Manuel Barroso, Vladimir Putin, Hillary Clinton, Catherine Ashton, Aleksander Kwasniewski, Carl Bildt. This is just a partial list of world leaders who have spoken to Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych about the trial of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
Bad Precedent
Ukraine has had four presidential elections since it declared independence in 1991.
All of the elections have resulted in a peaceful transition of power and no prosecution or persecution of the previous administration.
This is the first time in contemporary Ukrainian history where the winner of a presidential contest has gone after the loser. It establishes a dangerous precedent.
Yanukovych will not be president forever.
What's to stop his successor, or his successor's successor, from automatically unleashing the prosecutors on him?
The result, of course, would be to condemn Ukraine to years of additional political infighting that would probably stall much-needed economic restructuring and reform.
It is almost impossible to find a way out of this political and legal imbroglio.
The court is unlikely to find Tymoshenko innocent unless it gets a clear and direct order from the top.
So far the Ukrainian president has not shown any sign that this may happen.
If Tymoshenko is found guilty and sent to prison, Yanukovych’s reputation as an increasingly authoritarian president will be solidified.
In a word, Yanukovych has created a royal mess.
During the recent EU Eastern Partnership summit in Warsaw, Yanukovych seemingly got such an earful about the Tymoshenko trial that he didn’t even bother staying for the final delegates’ lunch, preferring to fly home instead.
This is nothing new.
Ever since the Tymoshenko trial began on June 24, 2011, Western diplomats and politicians have expressed concern about Ukraine using selective justice to go after an inconvenient opposition figure.
EU leaders have warned that the EU Free Trade Agreement currently under negotiation could be in jeopardy.
But all those supplications have fallen on deaf ears.
Yanukovych invariably responds with platitudes about the independence of the courts. This would be nice if it were true.
When the hunt for Tymoshenko began earlier this year, 12 criminal cases were opened against her.
The government aggressively pursued four and finally settled on one -- abuse of office.
Tymoshenko is accused of exceeding her authority when she was prime minister and incurring financial losses to the state by signing a gas agreement with Russia in 2009.
The current administration believes this deal was too advantageous for Moscow and has been attempting to renegotiate the contracts. Tymoshenko denies any wrongdoing.
One could stretch one’s imagination and try to believe Yanukovych’s claim that independent Ukrainian courts should be left to do their job if Tymoshenko were being tried for a real crime.
Admittedly this is difficult to do considering the current state of Ukraine’s judiciary, but it is not beyond the realm of possibility.In fact though, she is on trial because of the policies she pursued as prime minister and because she has been a thorn in Yanukovych’s side for years.
This is nothing new.
Ever since the Tymoshenko trial began on June 24, 2011, Western diplomats and politicians have expressed concern about Ukraine using selective justice to go after an inconvenient opposition figure.
EU leaders have warned that the EU Free Trade Agreement currently under negotiation could be in jeopardy.
But all those supplications have fallen on deaf ears.
Yanukovych invariably responds with platitudes about the independence of the courts. This would be nice if it were true.
When the hunt for Tymoshenko began earlier this year, 12 criminal cases were opened against her.
The government aggressively pursued four and finally settled on one -- abuse of office.
Tymoshenko is accused of exceeding her authority when she was prime minister and incurring financial losses to the state by signing a gas agreement with Russia in 2009.
The current administration believes this deal was too advantageous for Moscow and has been attempting to renegotiate the contracts. Tymoshenko denies any wrongdoing.
One could stretch one’s imagination and try to believe Yanukovych’s claim that independent Ukrainian courts should be left to do their job if Tymoshenko were being tried for a real crime.
Admittedly this is difficult to do considering the current state of Ukraine’s judiciary, but it is not beyond the realm of possibility.In fact though, she is on trial because of the policies she pursued as prime minister and because she has been a thorn in Yanukovych’s side for years.
Bad Precedent
Ukraine has had four presidential elections since it declared independence in 1991.
All of the elections have resulted in a peaceful transition of power and no prosecution or persecution of the previous administration.
This is the first time in contemporary Ukrainian history where the winner of a presidential contest has gone after the loser. It establishes a dangerous precedent.
Yanukovych will not be president forever.
What's to stop his successor, or his successor's successor, from automatically unleashing the prosecutors on him?
The result, of course, would be to condemn Ukraine to years of additional political infighting that would probably stall much-needed economic restructuring and reform.
It is almost impossible to find a way out of this political and legal imbroglio.
The court is unlikely to find Tymoshenko innocent unless it gets a clear and direct order from the top.
So far the Ukrainian president has not shown any sign that this may happen.
If Tymoshenko is found guilty and sent to prison, Yanukovych’s reputation as an increasingly authoritarian president will be solidified.
In a word, Yanukovych has created a royal mess.
A possible face-saving exit might be provided by the Ukrainian parliament, which is poised to examine legislation that will decriminalize certain economic activities.
If passed, the measure would likely strike the article of the criminal code that has been applied in Tymoshenko’s case.
The prosecutor has called for a seven-year sentence for Tymoshenko.
She has also claimed that Ukraine incurred a loss of some $190 million to its budget as a result of the 2010 gas agreement.
Others in government have put the figure even higher.
Tymoshenko is a divisive figure in Ukraine.
Once dubbed the “Gas Princess,” she amassed great wealth in the gas trade in the early 1990s.
She then abandoned business and went into politics, serving as deputy prime minister, member of parliament, leader of the opposition, and prime minister.
Her fiery speeches during the Orange Revolution transformed her into the lodestar.
The trial is currently adjourned until October 11,when a verdict in the case is widely expected.
If passed, the measure would likely strike the article of the criminal code that has been applied in Tymoshenko’s case.
The prosecutor has called for a seven-year sentence for Tymoshenko.
She has also claimed that Ukraine incurred a loss of some $190 million to its budget as a result of the 2010 gas agreement.
Others in government have put the figure even higher.
Tymoshenko is a divisive figure in Ukraine.
Once dubbed the “Gas Princess,” she amassed great wealth in the gas trade in the early 1990s.
She then abandoned business and went into politics, serving as deputy prime minister, member of parliament, leader of the opposition, and prime minister.
Her fiery speeches during the Orange Revolution transformed her into the lodestar.
The trial is currently adjourned until October 11,when a verdict in the case is widely expected.
Sunday, 18 September 2011
Ukraine President Signals He May Yield On Tymoshenko
KIEV, Ukraine -- President Viktor Yanukovych hinted Friday he might yield to increasing Western pressure and end the trial of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko by changing Ukraine's criminal code.
Speaking at a conference in Yalta, Mr. Yanukovych distanced himself from the trial of the opposition leader, calling it "very painful."
He said he hoped that the criminal code would be "modernized" this year.
Political analysts said such an overhaul could decriminalize the article under which Ms. Tymoshenko is being tried.
The criminal code dates to 1962, when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union, the president said. "That, undoubtedly, is nonsense," he said, according to a transcript of his remarks posted on his website.
The prosecution of Ms. Tymoshenko on abuse-of-office charges over a gas deal she struck with Russia in 2009 has threatened to hamper Mr. Yanukovych's push for deeper economic and political ties with the European Union.
Senior European politicians have warned that the failure to free Ms. Tymoshenko could lead to refusal by parliaments of some EU states to ratify an association agreement.
The trial judge called an unexpected two-week pause in proceedings Monday, three days after a joint letter to Mr. Yanukovych by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton raised concerns about the case.
Analysts said the recess gives Mr. Yanukovych an opportunity to find a way out of the prosecution of Ms. Tymoshenko, a longtime rival.
She accuses him of carrying out a political vendetta and using the trial to remove his leading opponent from the political scene.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule said after a meeting with Mr. Yanukovych on Friday: "We have been fully assured about his commitment to finding a solution," Reuters news agency reported. "We would like to see her being fully a part of political life," Mr. Fule said.
He said he hoped that the criminal code would be "modernized" this year.
Political analysts said such an overhaul could decriminalize the article under which Ms. Tymoshenko is being tried.
The criminal code dates to 1962, when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union, the president said. "That, undoubtedly, is nonsense," he said, according to a transcript of his remarks posted on his website.
The prosecution of Ms. Tymoshenko on abuse-of-office charges over a gas deal she struck with Russia in 2009 has threatened to hamper Mr. Yanukovych's push for deeper economic and political ties with the European Union.
Senior European politicians have warned that the failure to free Ms. Tymoshenko could lead to refusal by parliaments of some EU states to ratify an association agreement.
The trial judge called an unexpected two-week pause in proceedings Monday, three days after a joint letter to Mr. Yanukovych by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton raised concerns about the case.
Analysts said the recess gives Mr. Yanukovych an opportunity to find a way out of the prosecution of Ms. Tymoshenko, a longtime rival.
She accuses him of carrying out a political vendetta and using the trial to remove his leading opponent from the political scene.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule said after a meeting with Mr. Yanukovych on Friday: "We have been fully assured about his commitment to finding a solution," Reuters news agency reported. "We would like to see her being fully a part of political life," Mr. Fule said.
Russia's leaders have tried to tempt Mr. Yanukovych with an offer of lower gas prices, which Ukraine has long sought, in return for his agreement to take Ukraine into a Moscow-led customs union.
On Friday, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Mr. Yanukovych's declared aim of joining the EU is "completely unrealistic," Interfax news agency reported.
Mr. Yanukovych, who will travel to Moscow on Sept. 24, repeated his rejection of Russia's offer.
On Friday, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Mr. Yanukovych's declared aim of joining the EU is "completely unrealistic," Interfax news agency reported.
Mr. Yanukovych, who will travel to Moscow on Sept. 24, repeated his rejection of Russia's offer.
Ukraine PM Says EU's Tymoshenko Stance "Immoral"
YALTA, Ukraine -- The European Union's threat to scrap planned free trade and association agreements with Ukraine if it jails former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko is immoral, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said on Saturday.
uropean diplomats said this week the EU wanted to see Tymoshenko, who is under arrest and on trial over abuse-of-office charges that she says are politically motivated, free and politically active.
Otherwise, they said, EU members could refuse to ratify the free trade and political association agreements that the two sides hope to initial in December.
"Such global, serious issues as Ukraine's European integration ... are so important that linking them to a particular trial is not just incorrect but immoral," Azarov told reporters in the Ukrainian Black Sea resort of Yalta.
EU enlargement and neighbourhood policy commissioner Stefan Fule said this week he had received assurances that Ukraine would find a solution to the Tymoshenko case by reclassifying her alleged offence as one that is not a felony.
Azarov declined to comment on whether that would happen but said he was optimistic about planned deals with the European Union.
"I am convinced that commonsense will prevail in our relations and that the free trade agreement and the association agreement will be signed," he said.
Tymoshenko, 50, the fiercest political opponent of President Viktor Yanukovich, is accused of illegally forcing state energy firm Naftogaz into the 2009 gas deal with Russia's Gazprom.
She has dismissed all charges as a political vendetta by Yanukovich who beat her narrowly in a 2010 presidential election.
Otherwise, they said, EU members could refuse to ratify the free trade and political association agreements that the two sides hope to initial in December.
"Such global, serious issues as Ukraine's European integration ... are so important that linking them to a particular trial is not just incorrect but immoral," Azarov told reporters in the Ukrainian Black Sea resort of Yalta.
EU enlargement and neighbourhood policy commissioner Stefan Fule said this week he had received assurances that Ukraine would find a solution to the Tymoshenko case by reclassifying her alleged offence as one that is not a felony.
Azarov declined to comment on whether that would happen but said he was optimistic about planned deals with the European Union.
"I am convinced that commonsense will prevail in our relations and that the free trade agreement and the association agreement will be signed," he said.
Tymoshenko, 50, the fiercest political opponent of President Viktor Yanukovich, is accused of illegally forcing state energy firm Naftogaz into the 2009 gas deal with Russia's Gazprom.
She has dismissed all charges as a political vendetta by Yanukovich who beat her narrowly in a 2010 presidential election.
Saturday, 10 September 2011
Tymoshenko verdict could be aired live
The Pechersky District Court in Kyiv has allowed the television broadcast of the trial in the gas case during the announcement of the verdict to former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, as well as photographing and video taping by reporters of what is happening in the courtroom.
The decision was announced by presiding judge Rodion Kireyev on Thursday after he examined a request from Tymoshenko's lawyers, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent said.
At the same time, state prosecutors were not against allowing the photographing and video taping of the court debates
.
The decision was announced by presiding judge Rodion Kireyev on Thursday after he examined a request from Tymoshenko's lawyers, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent said.
At the same time, state prosecutors were not against allowing the photographing and video taping of the court debates
.
Saturday, 13 August 2011
Tymoshenko Fears Death In Prison
KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukraine's former prime minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, says she is afraid she will be killed while she is in prison.
Tymoshenko, 50, expressed her fears in a statement she issued just before an appeals court in Kiev Friday turned down her request for bail, the EUobserver reported.
Tymoshenko is being tried for signing an allegedly illegal gas supply contract with Russia while she was prime minister.
She was ordered held without bail because she refused to stand before a judge and for heckling witnesses; she faces 10 years in prison if convicted.
Asked if she fears for her safety, Tymoshenko said, "Of course I do. I am aware of the Stalinist saying that you get rid of the man, you get rid of the problem. There have been too many 'accidents' in the past like the supposed suicide of former interior minister Yuriy Kravchenko, who somehow seemed to have shot himself in the head twice."
Kravchenko was found dead in March, one hour before he was to testify about the decade-old unsolved murder of a journalist.
Tymoshenko's critics said she betrayed Ukraine to Russia in return for Kremlin support, and her actions undermined Ukraine's hope of joining the European Union.
Tymoshenko is being tried for signing an allegedly illegal gas supply contract with Russia while she was prime minister.
She was ordered held without bail because she refused to stand before a judge and for heckling witnesses; she faces 10 years in prison if convicted.
Asked if she fears for her safety, Tymoshenko said, "Of course I do. I am aware of the Stalinist saying that you get rid of the man, you get rid of the problem. There have been too many 'accidents' in the past like the supposed suicide of former interior minister Yuriy Kravchenko, who somehow seemed to have shot himself in the head twice."
Kravchenko was found dead in March, one hour before he was to testify about the decade-old unsolved murder of a journalist.
Tymoshenko's critics said she betrayed Ukraine to Russia in return for Kremlin support, and her actions undermined Ukraine's hope of joining the European Union.
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Tymoshenko Trial Disintegrating
KIEV, Ukraine -- The trial of opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko has become a national embarrassment for Ukraine.
Last week the former premier narrowly escaped arrest and detention after Judge Rodion Kireyev dismissed a prosecution petition to change the restrictions on the former premier from a travel ban to arrest.
Since last Tuesday, Ms Tymoshenko has been denied the right to legal representation with TV cameras and photography banned from the courtroom.
Heightening the sense of farce is witnesses testimony claiming that no crime was committed.
Ms Tymoshenko has been denied the legal right to a defence since last Tuesday when she fired her third set of defence lawyers, Mykola Siryi and Oleksandr Plakhotnyuk, on the grounds of their inability to provide a full defence.
The exhausted lawyers stood down complaining that they had been given insufficient time to familiarise themselves with the case materials.
“The court is acting without any rules or moral boundaries,” said Ms Tymoshenko.
The judge steadfastly refused to consider a petition from Ms Tymoshenko requesting three days leave to find and appoint a new lawyer, contrary to Ukrainian law.
He also refused to satisfy a petition to have Ms Tymoshenko’s first lawyer, Serhiy Vlasenko, readmitted to represent her in court.
Last week also saw Gryphon court police assault parliamentary lawmakers (MPs) and journalists when clearing the courtroom.
Tempers flared when lawmakers cried “Shame” at the judge’s refusal to adhere to Ukrainian law and allow Ms Tymoshenko three days to appoint a new lawyer.
Since last Tuesday, Ms Tymoshenko has been denied the right to legal representation with TV cameras and photography banned from the courtroom.
Heightening the sense of farce is witnesses testimony claiming that no crime was committed.
Ms Tymoshenko has been denied the legal right to a defence since last Tuesday when she fired her third set of defence lawyers, Mykola Siryi and Oleksandr Plakhotnyuk, on the grounds of their inability to provide a full defence.
The exhausted lawyers stood down complaining that they had been given insufficient time to familiarise themselves with the case materials.
“The court is acting without any rules or moral boundaries,” said Ms Tymoshenko.
The judge steadfastly refused to consider a petition from Ms Tymoshenko requesting three days leave to find and appoint a new lawyer, contrary to Ukrainian law.
He also refused to satisfy a petition to have Ms Tymoshenko’s first lawyer, Serhiy Vlasenko, readmitted to represent her in court.
Last week also saw Gryphon court police assault parliamentary lawmakers (MPs) and journalists when clearing the courtroom.
Tempers flared when lawmakers cried “Shame” at the judge’s refusal to adhere to Ukrainian law and allow Ms Tymoshenko three days to appoint a new lawyer.
As the trial progresses it does so without live TV coverage and photography – a feeble attempt by the authorities to keep embarrassing coverage from the Ukrainian people.
Much to the annoyance of the authorities, some of the witnesses being questioned state emphatically that no crime was committed.
Tetiana Korniakova, a deputy fuel and energy minister and a former deputy prosecutor general, backed up Ms Tymoshenko’s account.
Another witness, Ivan Ratushnyak, the former deputy minister of the Cabinet of Ministers, said, "I do not see the event of a crime in the prime minister's actions. These are not emotions. I've worked with all governments since independence... and I haven't seen such a patriot of Ukraine, such a fighter for justice. I don't know if anyone else can do this the way she did.”
“When witnesses start giving absolutely different testimonies than those given to prosecutors during the investigation, it means only one thing: the case has collapsed,” said Arseniy Yatsenyuk, leader of Front for Change.
Ms Tymoshenko is charged with exceeding her authority when she was prime minister and causing damage to the state of UAH 1.5 billion ($190 million), by signing a gas agreement with Russia in 2009.
The prosecution alleges that she broke the law by authorising the signature of the gas agreement on behalf of the Cabinet of Ministers without their approval.
Ms Tymoshenko denies any wrongdoing saying that the order was issued on behalf of herself as prime minister.
The 2009 agreement ended a damaging standoff with Russia which saw gas supplies disrupted to EU states.
At the time, Ms Tymoshenko was praised for resolving the dispute and removing from the gas trade the controversial intermediary company RosUkrEnergo, while transitioning Ukraine to European market prices for gas with a 20% discount.
Tetiana Korniakova, a deputy fuel and energy minister and a former deputy prosecutor general, backed up Ms Tymoshenko’s account.
Another witness, Ivan Ratushnyak, the former deputy minister of the Cabinet of Ministers, said, "I do not see the event of a crime in the prime minister's actions. These are not emotions. I've worked with all governments since independence... and I haven't seen such a patriot of Ukraine, such a fighter for justice. I don't know if anyone else can do this the way she did.”
“When witnesses start giving absolutely different testimonies than those given to prosecutors during the investigation, it means only one thing: the case has collapsed,” said Arseniy Yatsenyuk, leader of Front for Change.
Ms Tymoshenko is charged with exceeding her authority when she was prime minister and causing damage to the state of UAH 1.5 billion ($190 million), by signing a gas agreement with Russia in 2009.
The prosecution alleges that she broke the law by authorising the signature of the gas agreement on behalf of the Cabinet of Ministers without their approval.
Ms Tymoshenko denies any wrongdoing saying that the order was issued on behalf of herself as prime minister.
The 2009 agreement ended a damaging standoff with Russia which saw gas supplies disrupted to EU states.
At the time, Ms Tymoshenko was praised for resolving the dispute and removing from the gas trade the controversial intermediary company RosUkrEnergo, while transitioning Ukraine to European market prices for gas with a 20% discount.
Steven Pifer, a former US ambassador to Ukraine and today a senior fellow at the Washington DC-based Brookings Institution, wrote in the Kyiv Post, “The virtually unanimous view in the West is that the trial represents nothing more than a politically-motivated attempt to sideline the opposition leader.”
Many in the West have expressed alarm at the willingness of the authorities to criminalise what was a political decision.
The goal of the authorities is to crush President Viktor Yanukovych’s main political rival and prevent Ms Tymoshenko from running in the 2012 parliamentary and 2015 presidential elections.
“Ukrainians and foreigners alike have largely concluded that the trial against Tymoshenko is a farce, an exercise in political persecution to sideline President Viktor Yanukovych’s top rival,” said a Kyiv Post editorial.
The trial resumed today at 10.00 am.
Many in the West have expressed alarm at the willingness of the authorities to criminalise what was a political decision.
The goal of the authorities is to crush President Viktor Yanukovych’s main political rival and prevent Ms Tymoshenko from running in the 2012 parliamentary and 2015 presidential elections.
“Ukrainians and foreigners alike have largely concluded that the trial against Tymoshenko is a farce, an exercise in political persecution to sideline President Viktor Yanukovych’s top rival,” said a Kyiv Post editorial.
The trial resumed today at 10.00 am.
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Tymoshenko to demand withdrawal of judge at next hearing
ormer Prime Minister and leader of the Batkivschyna all-Ukrainian movement Yulia Tymoshenko will demand the withdrawal of presiding Judge Rodion Kireyev and the prosecutors during the next hearing in the "gas case" at Kyiv's Pechersky District Court.
"I think there will be the traditional withdrawal of the judge, because we're now documenting all of the violations the judge commits during the day," Tymoshenko told reporters outside the Pechersky Court in Kyiv on Friday.
Clearly, if any obvious and inadmissible violations occur, then the next day we will petition for his withdrawal," Tymoshenko said.
She said she would also demand the withdrawal of the prosecutors because "the prosecutors are servicing political repression" against her.
On Friday, Judge Kireyev announced a break in the "gas trial" until August 1.
"I think there will be the traditional withdrawal of the judge, because we're now documenting all of the violations the judge commits during the day," Tymoshenko told reporters outside the Pechersky Court in Kyiv on Friday.
Clearly, if any obvious and inadmissible violations occur, then the next day we will petition for his withdrawal," Tymoshenko said.
She said she would also demand the withdrawal of the prosecutors because "the prosecutors are servicing political repression" against her.
On Friday, Judge Kireyev announced a break in the "gas trial" until August 1.
Saturday, 23 July 2011
Ukraine's Tymoshenko Mocks Court In Trial
KIEV, Ukraine -- She refuses to rise when addressing the court, calls the judge a "monster," and is buoyed by supporters' chants of "Shame! Shame!" The judge demands order but fears expelling rowdy spectators because they're national lawmakers.
Yulia Tymoshenko's abuse of power trial is chaotic even by the boisterous standards of Ukraine, famous for its theatrical street protests and parliamentary fistfights.
The charismatic former prime minister is convinced that the trial is a government ploy to bar her from politics, and she's hit upon an unusual defense strategy: mocking the court.
Ukraine's president, Viktor Yanukovych, has faced Western accusations of political motives for prosecuting the country's top opposition leader.
But some also see Tymoshenko's antics as undermining her claims to being a champion of Western values of democracy and the rule of law.
Tymoshenko, 50, is charged with abusing her powers in signing a natural gas import contract with Russia in 2009 that prosecutors claim was disadvantageous for Ukraine.
The charismatic former prime minister is convinced that the trial is a government ploy to bar her from politics, and she's hit upon an unusual defense strategy: mocking the court.
Ukraine's president, Viktor Yanukovych, has faced Western accusations of political motives for prosecuting the country's top opposition leader.
But some also see Tymoshenko's antics as undermining her claims to being a champion of Western values of democracy and the rule of law.
Tymoshenko, 50, is charged with abusing her powers in signing a natural gas import contract with Russia in 2009 that prosecutors claim was disadvantageous for Ukraine.
The terms of the contract can be debated, but few in the West think it's a criminal matter.
Experts in Ukraine and abroad believe the trial's real motive is to disqualify Tymoshenko—as a convicted felon—from upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections.
Tymoshenko has a long and bitter history with Yanukovych.
She was the heroine of the 2004 Orange Revolution that sparked a wave of excitement about a new democratic dawn in Ukraine, as protesters thronged Kiev's main square to block the Moscow-backed Yanukovych, accused of stealing the presidential election, from taking office.
Those dreams faded into disillusionment as Tymoshenko, the new prime minister, and her Orange Revolution partner Viktor Yushchenko, who became president, bickered incessantly and dragged the nation into political paralysis.
Yanukovych legitimately beat Tymoshenko and Yushchenko in presidential polls in 2010, but she still remains a formidable political force with a broad support base.
Tymoshenko now accuses Yanukovych of writing her verdict in advance.
Experts in Ukraine and abroad believe the trial's real motive is to disqualify Tymoshenko—as a convicted felon—from upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections.
Tymoshenko has a long and bitter history with Yanukovych.
She was the heroine of the 2004 Orange Revolution that sparked a wave of excitement about a new democratic dawn in Ukraine, as protesters thronged Kiev's main square to block the Moscow-backed Yanukovych, accused of stealing the presidential election, from taking office.
Those dreams faded into disillusionment as Tymoshenko, the new prime minister, and her Orange Revolution partner Viktor Yushchenko, who became president, bickered incessantly and dragged the nation into political paralysis.
Yanukovych legitimately beat Tymoshenko and Yushchenko in presidential polls in 2010, but she still remains a formidable political force with a broad support base.
Tymoshenko now accuses Yanukovych of writing her verdict in advance.
"It's not a trial, it's political repression ordered by the president of Ukraine," Tymoshenko, clad in a dazzling white shirt, black skirt and black stiletto heels, her trademark blond braid wrapped around her head, told the court last Friday.
Yanukovych has insisted Tymoshenko's case is part of his anti-corruption fight and promised the trial will be open and fair.
But the court has clearly favored the prosecution and reporters have had a difficult time covering the proceedings, occasionally being expelled from the small, stifling courtroom for no stated reason.
Judge Rodion Kireyev has been rushing the trial, giving Tymoshenko's lawyers very little time to study evidence in the case, making one attorney read 4,000 pages per day, and has rejected most motions filed by the defense.
In response, the acerbic Tymoshenko lashes out at the judge, a 31-year-old with the air of an inexperienced middle-school teacher facing a room of unruly teens.
In a recent session, he spent an hour pleading with Tymoshenko to respect the court and rise when addressing him.
Spectators laughed derisively and shouted.
"The law is the same for everybody, defendant Tymoshenko!" said Kireyev, clenching his teeth and taking deep breaths.
"This is my protest against injustice, corruption and repression," Tymoshenko shot back, staying firmly in her seat.
She also refused to address the judges as "Your Honor"—telling him that "honor must first be deserved."
Yanukovych has insisted Tymoshenko's case is part of his anti-corruption fight and promised the trial will be open and fair.
But the court has clearly favored the prosecution and reporters have had a difficult time covering the proceedings, occasionally being expelled from the small, stifling courtroom for no stated reason.
Judge Rodion Kireyev has been rushing the trial, giving Tymoshenko's lawyers very little time to study evidence in the case, making one attorney read 4,000 pages per day, and has rejected most motions filed by the defense.
In response, the acerbic Tymoshenko lashes out at the judge, a 31-year-old with the air of an inexperienced middle-school teacher facing a room of unruly teens.
In a recent session, he spent an hour pleading with Tymoshenko to respect the court and rise when addressing him.
Spectators laughed derisively and shouted.
"The law is the same for everybody, defendant Tymoshenko!" said Kireyev, clenching his teeth and taking deep breaths.
"This is my protest against injustice, corruption and repression," Tymoshenko shot back, staying firmly in her seat.
She also refused to address the judges as "Your Honor"—telling him that "honor must first be deserved."
Tymoshenko, who has always thrived in the spotlight, seems energized by the trial, often addressing the media, not the judge.
After being briefly booted from the courtroom for calling Kireyev a "monster" this month, she compared herself to the victims of bloodthirsty dictators.
"They will try me in absentia," she wrote on Twitter. "Neither Pinochet, nor Stalin, nor Hitler did this. Yanukovych is creating an atmosphere of jail in the entire country."
In a session last week, the courtroom was filled as usual with Tymoshenko's supporters, mostly lawmakers from her party, whose task appeared to be to disrupt proceedings.
"Mr. Judge! An illegal gang of prosecutors is present in the courtroom," one lawmaker shouted.
Ukrainian lawmakers are immune from prosecution and Kireyev has been reluctant to order out the disruptive ones.
On the rare occasions when he does, police hesitate.
One recent time he tried to expel a pro-Tymoshenko lawmaker, he pleaded with the police several times to enforce the decision.
The officers didn't move and an irritated Kireyev stormed out of the chamber.
Some experts say that Tymoshenko, who does not have immunity because she's no longer a lawmaker, is tarnishing her democratic credentials by mocking the courts.
After being briefly booted from the courtroom for calling Kireyev a "monster" this month, she compared herself to the victims of bloodthirsty dictators.
"They will try me in absentia," she wrote on Twitter. "Neither Pinochet, nor Stalin, nor Hitler did this. Yanukovych is creating an atmosphere of jail in the entire country."
In a session last week, the courtroom was filled as usual with Tymoshenko's supporters, mostly lawmakers from her party, whose task appeared to be to disrupt proceedings.
"Mr. Judge! An illegal gang of prosecutors is present in the courtroom," one lawmaker shouted.
Ukrainian lawmakers are immune from prosecution and Kireyev has been reluctant to order out the disruptive ones.
On the rare occasions when he does, police hesitate.
One recent time he tried to expel a pro-Tymoshenko lawmaker, he pleaded with the police several times to enforce the decision.
The officers didn't move and an irritated Kireyev stormed out of the chamber.
Some experts say that Tymoshenko, who does not have immunity because she's no longer a lawmaker, is tarnishing her democratic credentials by mocking the courts.
"Both sides have turned this trial into a farce, although this was not initiated by Tymoshenko," said Valeriy Chaly, deputy head of the Razumkov Center think tank in Kiev. "This is discrediting the Ukrainian legal system and Ukraine as a whole."
Three weeks into the trial, Tymoshenko's defense strategy has focused mainly on dragging out and discrediting proceedings by changing lawyers and filing repeated requests to disqualify Kireyev.
Some experts believe Tymoshenko should focus on legal issues to prove her innocence.
"Tymoshenko would be well advised to be above this and demonstrate a completely different level of public behavior in court," said Oleh Rybachuk, a member of Tymoshenko's first Cabinet who has turned into a civic activist.
Three weeks into the trial, Tymoshenko's defense strategy has focused mainly on dragging out and discrediting proceedings by changing lawyers and filing repeated requests to disqualify Kireyev.
Some experts believe Tymoshenko should focus on legal issues to prove her innocence.
"Tymoshenko would be well advised to be above this and demonstrate a completely different level of public behavior in court," said Oleh Rybachuk, a member of Tymoshenko's first Cabinet who has turned into a civic activist.
Friday, 15 July 2011
Four lawyers will defend Tymoshenko
Batkivshchyna Party leader Yulia Tymoshenko has said that she will have four lawyers defending her during her trial, including two from Covington & Burling LLP and BDO.
"Today, as I was required to do, I will present the court four defenders. One of them represents the audit firm BDO and another Covington & Burling, so that the world hears every word said during this trial and every fabricated charge," Yulia Tymoshenko told journalists before the start of today’s court hearing
"Today, as I was required to do, I will present the court four defenders. One of them represents the audit firm BDO and another Covington & Burling, so that the world hears every word said during this trial and every fabricated charge," Yulia Tymoshenko told journalists before the start of today’s court hearing
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Ukraine's 'Iron Lady' Goes On Trial
KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukraine's "Iron Lady" Yulia Tymoshenko on Friday goes on trial for alleged abuse of power in a case she has dismissed as a political vendetta orchestrated by her opponent President Viktor Yanykovych
One of the leaders of the pro-Western Orange Revolution in 2004 and Ukraine's former prime minister, Tymoshenko narrowly lost out to her old rival Yanukovych in presidential elections last year, becoming his fiercest critic.
She is now the target of several investigations including for abuse of power that allegedly caused severe financial losses for Ukraine after the country's row with Moscow over Russian gas deliveries in early 2009.
"This kangaroo trial will take place on personal orders of Viktor Yanukovych," Tymoshenko said this week.
"Everything that happens around me is an attempt by Viktor Yanukovych to eliminate me as his competitor," she said, describing her case as bearing "the hallmarks of political repressions."
Tymoshenko is accused of causing a loss to the former Soviet republic's budget of 1.5 billion hryvnia ($190 million) when she signed a new energy contract with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin after a brief interruption of gas deliveries in early 2009.
The charges carry a sentence of between 7 and 10 years, jeopardising Tymoshenko's ability to take part in parliamentary polls next year and the next presidential elections in 2015.
Analysts have previously said that it was not in the Yanukovych administration's interests to jail the 50-year-old charismatic prime minister as a new jail term would reinforce her image as a martyr.
But her lawyer said he had a sense of foreboding about the upcoming trial set to begin 0600 GMT in central Kiev.
She is now the target of several investigations including for abuse of power that allegedly caused severe financial losses for Ukraine after the country's row with Moscow over Russian gas deliveries in early 2009.
"This kangaroo trial will take place on personal orders of Viktor Yanukovych," Tymoshenko said this week.
"Everything that happens around me is an attempt by Viktor Yanukovych to eliminate me as his competitor," she said, describing her case as bearing "the hallmarks of political repressions."
Tymoshenko is accused of causing a loss to the former Soviet republic's budget of 1.5 billion hryvnia ($190 million) when she signed a new energy contract with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin after a brief interruption of gas deliveries in early 2009.
The charges carry a sentence of between 7 and 10 years, jeopardising Tymoshenko's ability to take part in parliamentary polls next year and the next presidential elections in 2015.
Analysts have previously said that it was not in the Yanukovych administration's interests to jail the 50-year-old charismatic prime minister as a new jail term would reinforce her image as a martyr.
But her lawyer said he had a sense of foreboding about the upcoming trial set to begin 0600 GMT in central Kiev.
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