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| Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukrainian ex-Prime Minister and oppositional leader |
On Monday, 5 August, is the second anniversary of Yulia Tymoshenko’s,
Ukrainian ex-Prime Minister’s and prominent oppositional leader’s,
imprisonment.
Ex-Prime Minister of Ukraine was arrested on 5 August 2011 in Kyiv
Pechersk Court after she was declared guilty in the so called “gas case” and
accused of abuse of authority during her term as a head of Ukrainian government
and signing the unpopular gas contracts between Russia and Ukraine in 2009. The
arrest of Yulia Tymoshenko was considered by many being politically motivated,
and international community, including EU, has called for her release and for end
of selective justice in Ukraine.
Later, on 11 October 2011, Yulia Tymoshenko has received 7 years in
prison. In addition to that it is prohibited for the ex-Prime Minister to hold
any political activity and hold official governmental positions during three
years after the prison term. The court has also satisfied the claim of Ukrainian
gas company NAK Naftogaz of Ukraine.
Kyiv Court of appeal declared the decision of Kyiv Pechersk Court being
in power, and Mrs.Tymoshenko was delivered to Kachanivska prison, located in
Charkiv governorate. Ukrainian ex-Prime Minister still remains there.
Ukrainian oppositional forces and supporters of the deposed leader have
demanded the independent medical examination to be conducted as Mrs. Tymoshenko
was claiming having the serious health problem even while being detained in
Kyiv during the investigations of her case. Mrs. Tymoshenko stated she doesn’t
trust Ukrainian doctors, and her supporters and the defense team have made been
calling for the permission for her medical examination and treatment outside of
the prison and even of Ukraine. But till now all those demands remained without
answer, as the authorities claim there is no lawful way for such a procedure in
Ukraine.
Meanwhile, international community including EU politicians and leaders
are urging Ukrainian authorities to reconsider the case of Mrs. Tymoshenko as
they see the political elements in her arrest and the following detention which
continues during two years. Serious reforms of the judicial system in Ukraine
should be applied and conducted due to the wish of Ukraine to sign the
Association Agreement with EU this autumn. European community has been calling
for Ukrainian authorities to stop the politically motivated imprisonments in
the country and to release the detained oppositional leader.
On Monday, 5 August, several supporters of
Ukrainian ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko have gathered in Kyiv in some
other Ukrainian cities for the rallies to declare their support of the deposed
leader and to demand her release.
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