Former Ukraine prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko has vowed to fight for her freedom after being jailed for seven years over a 2009 gas deal with Russia. Amid emotional scenes in the packed court, Tymoshenko was convicted of exceeding her powers by ordering state energy firm Naftogaz to sign a $189 million gas deal with Russia in 2009. The sentence which was handed down in a Kiev court has been criticised by both the European Union and Russia as politically motivated. Even as the judgement was being read out, Tymoshenko was calling on citizens to defend Ukraine from authoritarianism. In the streets outside the court there were scuffles between her supporters and riot police. The verdict is set to further strain ties between Ukraine and the West. "The court rules that Y.V. Tymoshenko intentionally used her powers to criminal ends and, acting deliberately, carried out actions ... which led to heavy consequences," Ukrainian judge Rodion Kireyev said in his judgement. "The court finds her guilty and sentences her to seven years in prison." The sentence came in a lengthy judgment at the end of a three-month trial which has polarised society in the ex-Soviet republic. EU officials have warned that a conviction would severely jeopardise Ukraine's hopes of signing an association agreement with the European Union this year which would be a first step towards its goal of joining the bloc. The former Orange Revolution leader, flanked by her husband Olexander and daughter Yevgenia, immediately denounced what she said was a verdict ordered by her political rival, president Viktor Yanukovych. After the judge announced his decision, Mr Yanukovych told journalists that the verdict was not final and he understood the European Union's anxiety over the case. "It has made the European Union anxious and we understand why this is so," he said. "Today the court took its decision in the framework of the current criminal code. This is not the final decision," he said, alluding to the court of appeal and possible law changes. The verdict was in line with the demand of prosecutors, who wanted a sentence of seven years. "We will fight and defend my good name in the European court," Tymoshenko said. "We have to be strong and defend Ukraine from this authoritarianism." Judge Rodion Kireyev said Tymoshenko sustained a loss to state gas firm Naftogaz of 1.5 billion hryvnia ($189 million) by agreeing the 10-year contract. The judge ordered Tymoshenko to pay back the loss in full as compensation. Despite being in custody since August, Tymoshenko, as ever, showed up in court with her hair plaited intricately around her head and wearing an immaculate beige dress. She shouted "Glory to Ukraine!" after being led in.
0 comments:
Post a Comment