Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office says it has launched a criminal probe of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko over alleged abuse of office.
Tymoshenko said after questioning Wednesday that the probe centres around her alleged misspending of $280 million (€200 million) received for the sale of carbon credits under the Kyoto protocol.
Tymoshenko has admitted that she used the money to pay pensions amid a severe recession, but said all the funds were later returned and spent on environmental needs.
Tymoshenko dismissed the probe as "terror against the opposition" by President Viktor Yanukovych. A number of former officials in her government have been investigated, questioned and jailed since he came to power.
