KHARKIV, Ukraine — Jailed Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko's trial for tax evasion was adjourned again Tuesday until Jan. 18, as the former prime minister, hospitalized for back trouble, could not attend.
Tymoshenko, a bitter opponent of President Viktor Yanukovych, was sentenced to seven years in prison in October 2011 on abuse-of-office charges. Her second trial, on charges of tax evasion and embezzlement, was supposed to commence in April but has been repeatedly postponed.
The 52-year-old politician denies any wrongdoing and says she is being persecuted by Yanukovych in revenge for her role in the 2004 Orange Revolution protests that derailed his first bid for the presidency.
Tymoshenko has been in a state hospital since May receiving treatment for back pain.
(Reuters)
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