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US urges release of Tymoshenko

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May 2, 2012, 12:07 a.m. | Ukraine — by Reuters

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on April 30 in Washington, D.C. In a statement on May 1, she called on the Ukrainian government to release ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and other imprisoned members of the political opposition.

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WASHINGTON, May 1 (Reuters) - TheUnited Statescalled for the release of former Ukrainian prime ministerYulia Tymoshenkoon Tuesday, joining European leaders in condemning the conditions of her imprisonment amid allegations that she was beaten. U.S. Secretary of StateHillary Clinton, in a statement, said recent photos "further call into question the conditions of her confinement" and urged Ukrainian authorities to allow medical treatment and access to the U.S. ambassador.

Tymoshenko, serving a seven-year jail sentence on charges of abuse of office, has been on a hunger strike since last week after she said prison guards forced her to go to a hospital because of her long-term back problems and then beat her.

On Monday, her family said she was bruised and could not move much. They called on Ukrainian authorities to take action, citing her weak condition.

Clinton, the top U.S. diplomat, said theUnited Stateswas deeply concerned about Tymoshenko's treatment and cited photos fromUkraine's senior human rights official.

"We continue to call for her release, the release of other members of her former government and the restoration of their full civil and political rights," she said in the statement.

Tymoshenko's daughterYevgenia Tymoshenko, who said she visited her mother in recent days, said on Monday that medical treatment abroad is the only possible solution.

The incident has souredUkraine's ties with the European leaders, who have condemned it as example of selective justice in the country now ruled by her political arch-rival Viktor Yanukovich.

Yanukovich has ordered an investigation of the alleged beating.

Several European leaders have called off visits toUkraineand threatened to boycott a major soccer tournament to be played there in June.

Tymoshenko was found guilty last year of abusing her power in brokering a 2009 gas deal withRussiaand she still faces tax evasion charges. She has called the charges part of a campaign by Yanukovich to destroy political opposition. (Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Bill Trott)
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Jaroslaw Sawka May 2, 2012, 3:06 a.m.    

Slava Yulia!

Slava Hilary!

Slave Heroyam!!!

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Саша Левко May 2, 2012, 12:48 p.m.    

If Mrs. Clinton really wishes to influence our government and have them through whatever means America deems suitable reverse the decision of the courts, or perhaps pardon those already tried and release those undergoing trial, then surly she would better serve her cause by bringing justice to all those prisoners and detainees held in American prisons, secret and otherwise, that are held indefinitely without charge and with no hope of any kind of trial for no other reasons than their belief or race. Maybe then our democratically elected government will ignore the voice of the people and release those convicted of stealing from us. After months the opposition has gathered 100,000 signatures protesting for Y.T to be released. How many are genuine we will never know but with a population over 45,000.000 it hardly counts as a democratic opinion.

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Eckard von Goeden May 2, 2012, 8:22 p.m.    

I personally will free Yulia Tymoshenko from prison!

First I must get out of here, throw away all that torture called medication and then I will come by helicopter and free my future wife.

Then we will be together President of Ukraine !!!

СПАСИБО ЖИТЕЛЯМ ДОНБАСА

ЗА ПРЕЗИДЕНТА ПИДИРАСА

СПАСИБО ЖИТЕЛЯМ ДОНБАСА

ЗА ПРЕЗИДЕНТА ПИДИРАСА

СПАСИБО ЖИТЕЛЯМ ДОНБАСА

ЗА ПРЕЗИДЕНТА ПИДИРАСА

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