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Ukrainian Opposition Leader Arrested
August 20, 2011
By: Carlos Aramayo | Printer Friendly

On August 6, the Economist reported that former Ukranian Prime Minister and main opposition figure, Yulia Tymoshenko, was arrested. Tymoshenko, a leader of the pro-Western Orange Revolution in 2004, was charged with abuse of power in connection with a 2009 deal that ended Russia’s midwinter gas cutoff to Ukraine.  Then-Prime Minister Tymoshenko flew to Moscow and worked out a deal with then-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.  Led by incumbent President Viktor Yanukovych, the government says Tymoshenko broke the law by not consulting her government when signing the deal, an accord which cost Ukraine an extra $190 million.

The United States (US), several European countries and Russia have criticized the arrest. On August 6, Voice of America reported that German officials stated that the investigation of the previous Kyiv government "awakens a suspicion of politically motivated justice." On August 8, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported that US Department of State spokesman Mark Toner said that Tymoshenko's arrest "raises questions about the application of the rule of law in Ukraine and continues to contribute to the appearance of politically motivated prosecutions" in the country.
According to the Voice of America, the Kremlin criticized the trial, partly because Prime Minister Putin’s signature is on the gas deal and because Russia does not want to lower gas prices for Ukraine.

On August 8, the New York Times reported that Tymoshenko's lawyers appealed for her release on various grounds, including a petition supported by about 200 prominent Ukrainians, who vouched for her and promised she would not leave Ukraine during the trial. Arseniy Yatsenyuk, a former chairman of parliament and foreign minister stated that the trial was “a clear threat to Ukrainian democracy.” Furthermore, Yatsenyuk said, “This is not just personal support for the former prime minister; this is support to the institution of democracy that is opposition. This could happen to anyone in Ukraine’s political environment.”

In an interview with the Voice of America, Oleh Soskin, Director of the Institute of Society Transformation, a Kyiv think tank, said that Yanukovych seeks to “liquidate” his chief political rival while the nation is on vacation.

On August 10, Voice of America reported that the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia criticized the Yanukovych government for its handling of the Tymoshenko trial. In addition, US Ambassador to Ukraine John F. Tefft asked Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the opportunity to meet with Tymoshenko.  The request was forwarded to the Kyiv court, where Tymoshenko is being tried.

Tymoshenko rose to fame in 2004, as a leader of Ukraine's "Orange Revolution" street protests that forced the Supreme Court to toss out the results of a disputed presidential election in which Yanukovych was initially declared the winner.  The two competed in last year's February presidential election, where Yanukovych won with 48.95 percent of the popular vote. However, Tymoshenko challenged the election results in court, claiming that fraud on the part of the Yanukovych camp has robbed her of more than a million votes. The Supreme Court later suspended the results of the election based on the Tymoshenko’s appeal. Tymoshenko finally conceded the presidential election on February 20, withdrawing her legal challenge and stating that she did not believe that she would get a fair hearing.

Ukraine will hold parliamentary elections next year and a presidential election in 2015. According to the Economist, “Tymoshenko is by far the most prominent opposition leader.”

For previous news on the Ukraine, please see:
Local Elections in Ukraine Test Yanukovych’s Commitment to Democracy

Sources:
Voice of America – Jailing of Opposition Leader Stirs Debate in Ukraine

Voice of America – Supporters of Former Ukrainian PM Protest Her Arrest

The New York Times – Judge Keeps Ukraine Opposition Leader Jailed, Sparking Protest and Petitions

The Economist – Tymoshenko taken in

Voice of America – US Ambassador to Ukraine Asks for Meeting With Jailed Tymoshenko

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – U.S. Calls For Ukraine Review Of Tymoshenko Arrest

The New York Times – Ukraine Leader Drops Vote Challenge