Kiev: A Kiev court has upheld
former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's conviction
and seven-year jail sentence, condemned as politically
motivated by the West.
Tymoshenko was found guilty of abuse of office in October
and sentenced to prison for overstepping her authority while
negotiating a natural gas contract with Russia in 2009.
The Kiev Appeals court upheld that decision today.
Tymoshenko and her lawyers were absent during the court
hearing as she is boycotting all legal proceedings in Ukraine,
claiming the courts are controlled by the government.
Tymoshenko, the top opposition leader, charges that her
prosecution was masterminded by President Viktor Yanukovych in
order to bar her from elections.
PTI
First Published: Friday, December 23, 2011, 21:27