Ukrainian politicians leave prision
- 11 years ago
The former Ukrainian Interior Minister who was imprisoned- then pardoned by the current president- walked out of jail a free man on Sunday.
Yuri Lutsenko, an ally of opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, was jailed on charges of abuse of office.
His pardon by President Viktor Yanukoich is seen as a move to appease the U.S. and the European Union who say the imprisonment of Tymoshenko and former members of her government are politically motivated.
Although there is no sign that Tymoshenko herself will be released, the EU has said trade agreements and political associations with Kiev could be shelved for years unless progress is made on freeing her and her allies from prison.
Yuri Lutsenko, an ally of opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, was jailed on charges of abuse of office.
His pardon by President Viktor Yanukoich is seen as a move to appease the U.S. and the European Union who say the imprisonment of Tymoshenko and former members of her government are politically motivated.
Although there is no sign that Tymoshenko herself will be released, the EU has said trade agreements and political associations with Kiev could be shelved for years unless progress is made on freeing her and her allies from prison.