KIEV — The European Union said Thursday that it was concerned about "suggestions of political motivation" behind criminal cases against Ukrainian opposition leader, Yulia Tymoshenko.
Ukrainian prosecutors have told Tymoshenko, a former prime minister who lost to President Viktor Yanukovych in a 2010 election, that she may be detained for hampering probes into charges of abuse of power over carbon permit sales and a gas deal with Russia.
She has dismissed the allegations as a political witch hunt.
"The EU head of delegation is in contact with the authorities in Kiev regarding the court decision of May 23 to detain Mrs. Tymoshenko and to express our concern at suggestions of political motivation behind these cases," the office of the EU's foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
