Former Defense Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov, a witness in the gas case against former Ukrainian Premier Yulia Tymoshenko, has been questioned for more than four hours at Pechersky District Court of Kyiv. As reported, Tymoshenko herself and her lawyer Yuriy Sukhov asked the most questions, mainly connected with the activities of the RosUkrEnergo company. According to Tymoshenko, the entry to the Ukrainian gas market by this company lead to the gas crisis in 2009.
In particular, Tymoshenko asked whether Yekhanurov’s objection to signing the contracts on gas supplies in 2009 was connected with his reluctance to remove RosUkrEnergo as a mediator on the gas market between Ukraine and Russia. Yekhanurov said that he completely supported the position of then President Viktor Yuschenko, who demanded a switch to direct gas supply relations between the states.
Judge Ridion Kireyev often challenged Tymoshenko’s questions and asked her to rephrase them, saying that they were too leading.
Tymoshenko several times claimed Yekhanurov did not answer her questions properly.
Kireyev also rebuked her for her commentaries on Yekhanurov’s answers.
"This is the questioning of a witness, and you are accusing him [of crimes]," the judge said, addressing Tymoshenko.
The former premier told Yekhanurov, "I ask you not to lose your temper and stop offending me." In turn, Yekhanurov said, "Defendant, I have been known you for many years, you will not make me lose my temper."
Yekhanurov in his answers refuted claims that he led RosUkrEnergo to the gas market, as, according to him, the company had been operating in this direction before.
He added that this was a condition of the Russian side during gas talks in 2006.
At 15:40, the judge announced a break. Yekhanurov’s questioning was to continue after the break in proceedings.
