You're reading: Fule: Tymoshenko’s imprisonment cannot be explained only with old Criminal Code

Brussels – EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule has said it is impossible to explain the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko with the execution of the court ruling, while recognizing the need to reform the law under which she was convicted.

While speaking at the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday with journalists from Eastern Partnership countries, Fule noted that the Criminal Code of Ukraine, under which Tymoshenko was convicted, has its roots in Soviet times, that it "mixes political and criminal responsibility and needs to be brought into line with new democratic requirements."

The commissioner told reporters about his first conversation with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on this subject, which was held on January 13.

"I asked him if he really thinks or believes that it is a good idea to start proceedings against the former prime minister on issues where the EU completely clearly says that this case is from the category of political responsibility, while you say that the reform of legal and judicial systems should be completed in Ukraine, when your systems are still incomplete. Otherwise, you would not reform them," he said.