Former Ukrainian PM Tymoshenko detained for investigation

[News_Editor]

Former Ukrainian PM Tymoshenko detained for investigation

2011-05-24 23:31:48 GMT+7 (ICT)

KIEV, UKRAINE (BNO NEWS) -- Ukraine's Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) on Tuesday detained Yulia Tymoshenko, the Batkivshchyna Party leader and former Prime Minister, for continuing investigation on the charges against her.

According to the UNIAN news agency, Tymoshenko was taken to the PGO to pursue investigations into the gas agreements signed in 2009. Tymoshenko was defeated in the past presidential elections by re-elected resident Viktor Yanukovych.

Tymoshenko has denied all accusations and claimed that Ukrainian authorities are only trying to intimidate her. The opposition has strongly criticized the Yanukovych government due to its "anti-Ukrainian" and "pro-Russian" policies.

Last week, Tymoshenko informed authorities that she would not be able to take part in the inquiry due to illness. She was summoned to the PGO and detained for breaking down the investigative actions.

The arrest was ordered by the Pechersky District Court of Kiev. Tymoshenko is charged with abuse of power and official authority in the signing of an agreement for the supply of Russian gas in 2009.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the actions of the opposition leader caused the state a loss estimated at around UAH 1.5 billion ($187.6 million). The international community has condemned the prosecution of Tymoshenko and other opposition leaders in Ukraine.

"I am disturbed by the news of the court's decision on the detention of former Prime Minister Tymoshenko. The context and conditions of this decision raise further concerns on the politically motivated nature of this case," said Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament.

Tymoshenko was ousted as Prime Minister in a no-confidence vote following her narrow defeat to Viktor Yanukovych in last February's presidential elections. One day after the charges were brought against her, a fight broke out in the Ukrainian Parliament after members of the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc-Batskivshchyna alliance staged a protest over the accusations.

In April, the PGO initiated a criminal case against Tymoshenko for signing a 10-year contract with Russian giant Gazprom in January 2009 at prices tied to international oil prices. Authorities said Ukraine already had a discount on Russian gas.

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