Ukrainian World Congress President Eugene Czolij intends during his speech in Kyiv on Friday to ask Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to facilitate the release of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko from custody.
"In my report I will clearly say how Ukrainians worldwide view the current situation in Ukraine. I will urge him [the president] to release Mrs. Tymoshenko from arrest as soon as possible… This will be the key issue," he told reporters in the courtyard of Pechersky District Court in Kyiv on Thursday.
Czolij characterized the trial as reprisals against the opposition.
"I have come to this court today to see firsthand the trial, which the authorities have described as a fight against corruption, while the international community, including the World Congress of Ukrainians, believes that this is an attack on the opposition," he said.
The opening ceremony for the 5th World Forum of Ukrainians, which is expected to be attended by Yanukovych, will start at the National Opera of Ukraine in Kyiv at 10.00 on Friday, Aug. 19.
