You're reading: Ashton disappointed with verdict in Ivaschenko’s case

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Catherine Ashton has expresses her disappointment with the verdict passed on Ukraine's former acting defense minister Valeriy Ivaschenko.

"The High Representative expresses her disappointment with yesterday’s verdict against Mr. Ivaschenko. The international community including the European Union has followed his case closely. Despite repeated calls on Ukraine to uphold international standards for fair trials including that they are transparent and independent, this case, especially the hearing of April 9, demonstrates significant shortcomings in these areas," reads a statement by the spokesperson of the EU High Representative issued on Friday, Apr. 13.

The high representative has also noted with concern the verdict against former environment minister Heorhiy Filipchuk.

Ashton said she would continue to monitor closely the appeals process of these cases with the expectation that failings in the original trials would be addressed.
"The High Representative underlines that respect for the Rule of Law will be of crucial importance for the speed of Ukraine’s political association and economic integration with the EU," the statement reads.

On April 12, 2012, Kyiv’s Pechersky District Court sentenced Ivaschenko to five years in prison, banning him from holding public office for three years.

On August 20, 2010, the Prosecutor General’s Office opened a criminal case against Ivaschenko under Part 2, Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (abuse of power or office). In November 2009, Ivaschenko signed a bailout plan concerning the sale of the property of the Defense Ministry’s state-owned enterprise Feodosiya shipbuilding and mechanical plant, including strategically important infrastructure facilities – three moorings, bomb shelters and a building for the storage of mobilization reserves.

On April 5, 2012, the court sentenced Filipchuk to three years imprisonment and banned him from holding public office for three years.

The charges of abuse of power against Filipchuk were based on the cost of legal services ordered by the Environment Ministry to analyze the agreement between the Ukrainian government and Vanco Prykerchenska LTD.