You're reading: Pshonka says New Criminal Procedure Code will not concern Tymoshenko’s UESU case

The criminal cases against former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, which are being considered in the courts, will be considered in line with the provisions of the current Criminal Procedure Code, Prosecutor General Viktor Pshonka has said.

“All criminal cases that were submitted to the courts by November 19 will be considered in line with the provisions of the current Criminal Procedure Code. Tymoshenko was convicted in the case [on gas contracts]. The case in Kharkiv, where Tymoshenko was charged [on the financial irregularities of the UESU Corporation], is ready for consideration, but there’s a question of Tymoshenko’s presence and her readiness to attend court sessions. All of the cases that are sent to the courts after November 19 and received by the court for consideration will be considered under the new provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code,” he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday, when asked whether the entry into force of the new Criminal Procedure Code will influence the fate of Tymoshenko and the possibility of her release.

As reported, Tymoshenko has been in jail since August 5, 2011. On October 11, a court sentenced her to seven years in prison for abuse of office in signing a gas supply contract with Russia in 2009.

In addition, other criminal cases were opened against Tymoshenko, in particular, the case on the activities of the United Energy Systems of Ukraine (UESU) corporation.