Nizhny Novgorod – U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner has described the trial of former Ukrainian Premier Yulia Tymoshenko as "a display of selective justice."
"We openly said that we see this as a display of selective justice and that the trial was improper, and, in fact, the case was not considered by the court properly," he told reporters in Nizhny Novgorod on October 13.
When asked whether the sentence given by the Ukrainian court in the criminal case against Tymoshenko represented a restriction of human rights in Ukraine, Posner said: "We’re very concerned about the recent actions of the Ukrainian authorities, which we have been observing in recent months, and we think they demonstrate that some negative change is taking place, [and] the situation with human rights and freedoms is growing worse."
He said U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and EU High Representative Catherine Ashton have expressed concern over the issue, and "we directly declare our opinion to the government of Ukraine."
Previously, in an interview with Ekho Moskvy (Echo of Moscow) radio, Posner said that the verdict of the court on the Tymoshenko case would complicate relations between Ukraine and the United States.
"This case will complicate our relations," Posner said.
"If the new government punishes the former leader for signing contracts and agreements that the new government does not like, it cannot but arouse our deep concern," he added.
