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Tymoshenko: ‘I will never commit suicide’

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Aug. 5, 2011, 7:25 p.m. | Politics — by Kyiv Post Staff

Lawyer Serhiy Vlasenko has shown reporters a statement written by the ex-premier prior to her arrest.
© Kyiv Post photo

Kyiv Post Staff

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Ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s lawyer, parliamentarian Serhiy Vlasenko, has shown reporters a statement written by the ex-premier prior to her arrest, according to the Tymoshenko website. "I want to make a statement regarding the plan to arrest me. Clearly this is an act of revenge against a political opponent, but that’s not my point. I want to state that I have no intention of committing suicide. They don’t need to repeat the tricks they did with Kirpa and Kravchenko. I will never end my life with suicide. Everything I do is my battle against this criminal regime for Ukraine’s rightful place in the world. Glory to Ukraine. Yulia Tymoshenko."

Tymoshenko was referring to Heorhiy Kirpa, the transport and telecommunications minister in 2002-2004 who was rumored to be involved in deep financial corruption, including unlawful financing of President Victor Yanukovych’s unsuccessful 2004 presidential election campaign. Kirpa was found shot in the head on Dec. 27, 2004, at his dacha outside of Kyiv. His death was ruled a suicide.

Tymoshenko was also talking about Yuriy Kravchenko, the former interior minister who died from two gunshot wounds to the head on March 4, 2005. That death was also ruled a suicide. He died on the same day he was supposed to give testimony involving the Sept. 16, 2000, murder of journalist Georgiy Gongadze. Some suspect Kravchenko of acting on ex-President Leonid Kuchma’s orders to silence the muckraking journalist. Kuchma denies involvement, but is charged with abusing his presidential authority in giving an order that led to Gongadze’s death.

Vlasenko said that Tymoshenko “wrote this statement and gave it to me a week ago when we learned that she might be arrested."

This afternoon Judge Rodion Kireyev granted the prosecution’s request to arrest Tymoshenko and jail her for violating court order.
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The Kyiv Post is hosting comments to foster lively debate. Criticism is fine, but stick to the issues. Comments that include profanity or personal attacks will be removed from the site. If you think that a posted comment violates these standards, please flag it and alert us. We will take steps to block violators.
Anonymous Aug. 5, 2011, 8:46 p.m.    

Nobody is interested in that criminal's decision what to do

So what ?

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Anonymous Aug. 5, 2011, 10:11 p.m.    

Brilliant comment....idiot. Try to complete a thought!

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Anonymous Aug. 5, 2011, 9:56 p.m.    

The desparate mafia will do anything to get rid of Tymoshenko now.If something happens to her whilst in detention, Yanukonvict and his mafia will be fully responsible! Bunch of criminals!

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Anonymous Aug. 6, 2011, 12:33 a.m.    

In an interesting twist of fate.....Tymoshenko's persecution and jailing gives her the upper hand.

The PoR administration is in a lose/lose situation. Not smart!

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Anonymous Aug. 6, 2011, 10:24 a.m.    

The downfall of Yanuk and his cronies has begun, They need to start thinking very seriously where they will run to avoid prosecution for the abuses of power which they have committed towards the political opposition. Yanuk's strategy has exploded right on his face and it is very damaging. The criminal element has proven just how far they can go to execute their plan to ensure total control of Ukraine. Staying in power is their mandate and applying any means is absolute. The rule of law means nothing to the criminals in power. Democratic values do not exist for the mafia regime of Yanuk and the Party of Regions. The reaction from both the west and east has been resounding and clearly directed at Yanuk. This has to be one of the most embarrassing moments in Ukraine since it became an independent nation with the exception when Yanuk and the Party of Regions tried to steal the 2004 elections. The Clown (Yanuk) and criminals have no shame nor soul. It is time for the Ukrainian citizens to take to the streets and rid the mafia of control.

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Anonymous Aug. 6, 2011, 3:23 p.m.    

They will run to Moscow for sanctuary - just like some did in 2005, and returned in 2010.

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Anonymous Aug. 6, 2011, 7:28 p.m.    

Perhaps she says this as she fears PoR will kill her while in jail, making it look like suicide.

No doubt, they are perfectly capable of doing that.

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Anonymous Aug. 7, 2011, 6:13 p.m.    

Yuliya is making a comment specifically to remind people of the dubious suicides of prior govt officials... to make an appeal to the people. She knows very well nobody will try to kill her. She is not afraid of that. She's just a professional speaker and this is how she tries to get people mad and supporting her. She's always got her speeches on hand, trying to make it into a life and death scene and another Orange Revolution.

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Anonymous Aug. 7, 2011, 6:17 p.m.    

If Yuliya dies in jail, I'd want to be investigating an opposition rival or third party candidate that suddenly &quot;appears&quot; to fill the void she leaves behind. They're the only ones who have motive. Yanukovich would be the huge loser obviously and it's probably his worst nightmare to end up an international criminal over a dead Tymoshenko. Maybe Yuliya is making the statement to protect herself against some former &quot;allies&quot; who may try to make a move on her, and blame Yanukovich, then put themselves in power?

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Anonymous Aug. 8, 2011, 11:06 p.m.    

I wonder if her gamble to raise the public behind her fails then this counts as political suicide?

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