Kiev: A Ukrainian court has rejected lawyers'
request to free former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on
parole during her abuse of office trial.
Tymoshenko was arrested Friday for contempt of court. She
is on trial for abusing her powers in signing a natural gas
deal with Russia in 2009 that prosecutors claim was
disadvantageous to Ukraine.
Tymoshenko has criticised the trial as an attempt by
President Viktor Yanukovych to bar her from future elections.
She has refused to rise when addressing the court, as
required, and routinely insulted the judge.
The judge today turned down two defense appeals for
Tymoshenko's release as hundreds of her supporters protested
outside.
The US and EU have condemned cases against Tymoshenko as
selective justice.
PTI
First Published: Monday, August 08, 2011, 21:34