You're reading: Yuschenko accuses Tymoshenko of corruption

Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko has accused Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko of corruption and asked the Security Service (SBU) to start an inquiry into the matter.

"There is a question for the Security Service of Ukraine. There have been reports in the past ten days that the Bloc of Yulia Tymoshenko has developed a system of bonuses in the upcoming elections," Yushchenko said at a conference with the heads of security and law enforcement agencies in Kyiv on Dec. 9.

Yushchenko explained that five members of local election commissions were promised places on the BYT’s electoral rolls in the local elections if they ensure Tymoshenko’s victory in the presidential elections.

"I am asking you to launch a full investigation [into the matter]," the president told SBU Chief Valentyn Nalyvaichenko.

Yushchenko also said that Tymoshenko had increased salaries to people whose occupations would be crucial in the presidential elections.

"This is political corruption," the president said.

Yuschenko also suggested that his information could be viewed as "a hint" for the Prosecutor General’s Office.