Kharkiv, February 7 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko will not take part in the investigative actions at Kyiv Court of Appeals via video linkup on Thursday, the ex-premier's defense counsel Serhiy Sas has said.
“Given the flagrant violation of national and international laws by the court, as well as of my right to be present at the interrogation of a witness, and based on Part 2 of Article 232 of the Criminal Procedure Code, I object to the holding of the pre-trial investigation, including the interrogation of a witness, during which I will not be present at the courtroom,” Sas quoted the ex-premier’s objections.
He also said that Tymoshenko demanded that they should stop the violation of her rights to defense and should question witnesses only in her personal presence in the courtroom.
“I declare my desire to participate personally in the questioning of all of the so-called witnesses, whom the prosecution would like to question in court. I demand that I should be notified of a court meeting in compliance with the procedure and within the terms stipulated by the law,” the ex-premier said.
According to the defense counsel, Tymoshenko was notified of the plans to conduct the investigative activities too late. In particular, at 1800 on Tuesday she was informed of the court’s meeting on Wednesday, and at 1900 on Wednesday she was notified about the court’s meeting on Thursday, whereas the Criminal Procedure Code says that the defendant should be notified three days ahead of the event.
The lawyer also said that he didn’t know which witness was to be questioned in court.
“From the notice received by the defense counsels it is unclear which of the witnesses will be questioned in court, so the defense team cannot properly prepare to participate in these investigative actions,” Sas said.
He also said that the former prime minister is continuing her civil disobedience campaign.
