KHARKIV – France's Ambassador-at-Large for Human Rights Francois Zimeray believes that the criminal case opened against Ukraine's former prime minster Yulia Tymoshenko on charges of financial fraud during her tenure as head of the United Energy Systems of Ukraine corporation (UESU) is politically motivated.
"What I have seen is absurd. There is no doubt about the political motivation of the charges," he told journalists at the Appeals Court of Kharkiv region, which is holding preliminary hearings into the UESU case.
He expressed concern about Tymoshenko’s health and the fact that she does not receive proper medical care.
"If she cannot exercise her right to get treatment, she cannot defend herself," the diplomat said.
He noted that the trials of other former members of Ukraine’s government also have political undercurrent, including those against former interior minister Yuriy Lutsenko and former acting defense minister Valeriy Ivaschenko.
"The way today’s trial will go will be of great importance to Ukraine. It will have a major impact on the relations between Ukraine and Europe," Zimeray said.
He said that he intended to try again to visit Tymoshenko in Kachanivska penal colony in Kharkiv on April 19. According to the ambassador, he submitted all the necessary documents, however he did not receive any answer.
