Tymoshenko Found Guilty in Abuse of Office Trial

[Bosonic]

Source: Ria Novosti

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko faces a seven-year prison sentence after being found guilty on Tuesday of abuse of office over her signing of a gas deal with Russia in 2009.

Judge Rodion Kireev said Tymoshenko, one of the leaders of Ukraine's pro-Western Orange Revolution, had exceeded her powers by personally issuing directives related to the deal.

If Tymoshenko's conviction goes ahead, it is likely to have huge implications for the country's political future, affecting the course of relations with the European Union and relegating her to the political wilderness.

Tymoshenko has consistently claimed the trial is politically motivated and accused current President Viktor Yanukovych, her arch-rival during the Orange Revolution, of masterminding the prosecution. As a convicted criminal, she would be unable to participate in Ukraine's next presidential elections in 2012.

Read more: http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/124882/tymoshenko-found-guilty-in-abuse-of-office-trial.html

[Bosonic]

1. Tymoshenko case to have "profound implications," EU warns Ukraine

The conviction Tuesday of former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko in a "politically motivated" trial could have "profound implications," the EU warned as the two sides were close to ending talks on a landmark free-trade deal, dpa reported.

"The European Union is deeply disappointed with the verdict," Maja Kocijancic, a spokeswoman for the bloc's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, told reporters in Brussels.

"This unfortunately confirms that justice is being applied selectively in politically motivated prosecutions of the leaders of the opposition and members of the former government," Kocijancic said, reading a statement issued on behalf of the EU's 27 members.

Ukrainian authorities were urged to grant Tymoshenko and other opposition leaders on trial "a fair, transparent and impartial" appeal process, and warned against preventing them from running in parliamentary elections next year.

http://en.trend.az/regions/world/europe/1943327.html

[MrNJ]

2. From Orange Revolution to this

In 2004 people fought for Democracy. And they won.
Now, 7 years later, Ukraine is another banana republic with a kangaroo court. What happened?

[bemildred]

4. Perhaps the "Orange Revolution" was bullshit? nt

[Fool Count]

9. Yes, it was. And this belated realization dawned upon

the Ukrainian people, making them feel ashamed at how easily were they hoodwinked into investing themselves into
this purely inter-mafia conflict.

[dipsydoodle]

3. They should've sentenced her to seven years living with me.

[Blue_Tires]

6. That's cruel and unusual...

Oh, come on! You were just begging for someone to say it!:silly: :crazy:

[dipsydoodle]

7. I'm shallow

and she's gorgeous. I'd even do here ironing for her. :)

'Nuff said.

[bemildred]

5. Ukraine ex-prime minister convicted of abuse of power

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"Taking into account … the high social danger of the crime that Tymoshenko committed, her personality and the lack of any kind of remorse the court doesn't find any ground for a imposing a softer punishment," said Judge Rodion Kireyev, who also ruled that the 51-year-old former prime minister should compensate Naftagas Ukraine, the state-owned gas company, for the full cost of its losses.

Tymoshenko will not be able to hold any government position for three years after her release, the judge ruled.

Tymoshenko, who defiantly sat with her husband and daughter at her side through most of the day, stood near the end of the reading of the verdict and interrupted the judge, shouting that she didn't agree with the verdict and calling on Ukrainians to unite against what she labeled repressions reminiscent of the Stalinist era.

"I declare that <1937> has returned and I call upon all the people to protect Ukraine against totalitarianism," Tymoshenko said in her courtroom remarks televised by Russia-24 television network. "Don't lose spirit and we will overcome the authoritarian regime together."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-ukraine-conviction-20111012,0,7918429.story

[blogslut]

8. Ukraine ex-PM Yulia Tymoshenko jailed over gas deal

Source: BBC

A judge ruled the ex-prime minister had criminally exceeded her powers when she signed a gas deal with Russia in 2009.

Mrs Tymoshenko said the charges were politically motivated. She vowed to appeal against her sentence and fight for Ukraine "till her last breath".

The EU said it was disappointed with the verdict, and that Kiev's handling of the case risked deep implications for its hopes of EU integration.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement the verdict showed justice was being applied selectively in politically motivated prosecutions...

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15250742

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[dipsydoodle]

10. West condemns Ukraine over Yulia Tymoshenko jailing

Western leaders have condemned the jailing of former Ukraine Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

The US and EU said the trial was politically motivated and Russia's foreign ministry said the ruling had a "clear anti-Russian subtext".

Tymoshenko was jailed for seven years for acting beyond her powers in sealing a gas deal with Russia in 2009.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who signed the deal, said he could not understand the court's verdict.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15263475