Setback in efforts to free jailed former PM
Source: Agencies |
October 25, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
EFFORTS to free former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko from prison appeared to suffer a setback yesterday when Ukrainian authorities announced they have opened another criminal investigation against her.
Earlier this month, Tymoshenko - the country's foremost opposition leader - was sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted of abuse of office.
Tymoshenko has accused President Viktor Yanukovych, her longtime foe, of masterminding the trial in order to bar her from politics.
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's office yesterday said it has revived an investigation into Tymoshenko's alleged embezzlement of 25 million hryvna (about US$3 million) and evasion of 20 million hryvna in taxes when she headed an energy company about 15 years ago.
She also faces three other corruption investigations.
Tymoshenko's senior aide, Oleksandr Turchynov, dismissed the latest accusations as untrue and absurd.
"This can only be explained by fear and a desire for revenge" by the authorities, he said.
The new investigation dims hopes that Tymoshenko can be released from prison on the basis of amendments to the country's criminal code for which her supporters and Western officials are lobbying.
Yanukovych has hinted that Tymoshenko could be released if parliament approves the legal changes, which would convert her violation from a criminal offense to a milder economic misdemeanor.
However, the president indicated last week that any such changes would take time.
Earlier this month, Tymoshenko - the country's foremost opposition leader - was sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted of abuse of office.
Tymoshenko has accused President Viktor Yanukovych, her longtime foe, of masterminding the trial in order to bar her from politics.
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's office yesterday said it has revived an investigation into Tymoshenko's alleged embezzlement of 25 million hryvna (about US$3 million) and evasion of 20 million hryvna in taxes when she headed an energy company about 15 years ago.
She also faces three other corruption investigations.
Tymoshenko's senior aide, Oleksandr Turchynov, dismissed the latest accusations as untrue and absurd.
"This can only be explained by fear and a desire for revenge" by the authorities, he said.
The new investigation dims hopes that Tymoshenko can be released from prison on the basis of amendments to the country's criminal code for which her supporters and Western officials are lobbying.
Yanukovych has hinted that Tymoshenko could be released if parliament approves the legal changes, which would convert her violation from a criminal offense to a milder economic misdemeanor.
However, the president indicated last week that any such changes would take time.
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