Ukraine’s Tymoshenko Jailed for Seven Years

Scofflaw

Ukraine's previous PM, most prominent opposition politician, and most prominent supporter of moving towards Europe rather than Russia, Yulia V. Tymoshenko , has been jailed for seven years, and banned from political activity for a decade, in a case taken by the current pro-Russian PM Yanukovich :

Eighteen months of cautious navigation hit a watershed on Tuesday, when a court in Kiev sentenced the country’s most prominent opposition politician, Yulia V. Tymoshenko, to seven years in prison. European leaders have condemned the case as politically motivated, and hinted that they are unlikely to ratify a free trade and association agreement with Ukraine, a project four years in the making.

Ms. Tymoshenko, an acerbic populist who represents the European-leaning west of the country, rose to drown out the judge’s voice as he read out the verdict, speaking directly to a bank of television cameras.

...

Prosecutors say Ms. Tymoshenko harmed Ukraine’s interests when, as prime minister, she carried out negotiations with Russia in 2009 over the price of natural gas. Tuesday’s ruling excludes her from politics for 10 years, and levies a fine of about $190 million.

Ukraine is under pressure from its former colonial power to join its economic bloc, and may now to come under pressure from Europe to reverse the conviction, which seems quite possible:

Mr. Yanukovich has made integrating with Europe a central goal, and he is likely to head off catastrophic damage by softening Ms. Tymoshenko’s conviction swiftly. One route to this would be decriminalizing the article under which she was convicted. In that event, her name would be cleared and she would be able to run in parliamentary elections in 2012, said Serhiy Vlasenko, one of her lawyers. This could occur as soon as next week, so that Mr. Yanukovich would be welcome at European Union talks in Brussels scheduled for Oct. 20.

He suggested as much on Tuesday, when he told journalists, “This is not a final decision.”

Ukraine continues to waver between Europe and Russia, and will obviously look to have the best of both worlds as far as possible.

cordially,
Scofflaw

RDM_83 again

I don't think its likely she's the Blonde Angel in White that some of the Western media like to portray her as (she does have a fantastic look and great image....those braids )

Anyway some interesting reading in the counterclaim against her current lawsuit in the US

http://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fuaba.org%2FResources%2FDocuments%2FBlog%2520Docs%2F11-07-16%2520Universal%2520Trading%2520v%2520Tymoshenko%2520Counterclaim.pdf&rct=j&q=Tymoshenko%20usa%20court%20co%20conspirator&ei=LaOVTrCaCdS1hAf6yqGuBg&usg=AFQjCNFn4MY56Q7XFM_oa1pI7-koB4RjNw&cad=rja

It will be interesting to see how this will play out in a court that is (probably) not biased either way.

This is a shorter read and underlines why I'd take her image with a pinch of salt

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Energy_Systems_of_Ukraine

Scofflaw

To be fair, it would be absolutely extraordinary if she were some kind of angel - I somehow doubt that any entirely sweet-natured and totally honest Goldilocks-style innocent could rise to be PM of Ukraine.

cordially,
Scofflaw

RDM_83 again

I wouldn't expect her to be an innocent I wouldn't expect it, but I do feel her associations and interests in an energy company mean she is probably just as corrupt as her peers (don't know much about Ukranian politics though so maybe not poisoning people is the standard of excellence their).

I'm actually a bit confused by the 'agenda' of the trial, if it was politically motivated why would Yanukovich be trying to soften/reverse it rather than not proceeding with the case?*

Anyway looks like her dealings I mentioned in previous post are being pursued in Ukraine

"Ukraine's Yulia Tymoshenko faces embezzlement inquiry. The new investigation is separate from the trial that ended on Tuesday. Ukrainian investigators have opened a corruption inquiry into former leader Yulia Tymoshenko, two days after she was jailed for exceeding her powers.
The new case is related to the activities of Tymoshenko's energy company 15 years ago."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15293905


*Its worth noting that though her prosecution may be politically motivated that does not mean she is necessarily mean she is not guilty of the offences

Scofflaw

RDM_83 again wrote: »

I wouldn't expect her to be an innocent I wouldn't expect it, but I do feel her associations and interests in an energy company mean she is probably just as corrupt as her peers (don't know much about Ukranian politics though so maybe not poisoning people is the standard of excellence their).

I'm actually a bit confused by the 'agenda' of the trial, if it was politically motivated why would Yanukovich be trying to soften/reverse it rather than not proceeding with the case?*

Anyway looks like her dealings I mentioned in previous post are being pursued in Ukraine

"Ukraine's Yulia Tymoshenko faces embezzlement inquiry. The new investigation is separate from the trial that ended on Tuesday. Ukrainian investigators have opened a corruption inquiry into former leader Yulia Tymoshenko, two days after she was jailed for exceeding her powers.
The new case is related to the activities of Tymoshenko's energy company 15 years ago."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15293905


*Its worth noting that though her prosecution may be politically motivated that does not mean she is necessarily mean she is not guilty of the offences

Basically, the motive could be political damage to an opponent shortly before elections - and not necessarily damage in the eyes of the public, but in the eyes of her backers. A reversal by the current PM seems to be on the cards in order to avoid a damaging falling-out with the EU, but makes the point that she can be taken down if required. I'm open to suggestions.

cordially,
Scofflaw

oscarBravo

Scofflaw wrote: »

Basically, the motive could be political damage to an opponent shortly before elections - and not necessarily damage in the eyes of the public, but in the eyes of her backers. A reversal by the current PM seems to be on the cards in order to avoid a damaging falling-out with the EU, but makes the point that she can be taken down if required. I'm open to suggestions.

It's the nature of subtle political muscle - especially as applied through an allegedly independent judiciary - to be plausibly deniable. I think your hypothesis is as plausible as any.