DNIPROPETROVSK – The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine intends to look into the report about the alleged beating of the jailed former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko during her transportation from Kachanivska penal colony in Kharkiv to a hospital.
During a lecture to students of Dnipropetrovsk National University on April 24, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Tefft said that they took very seriously all the reports about Tymoshenko’s case and would try to clear up the situation.
Tefft added that they hoped that the criminal cases against Tymoshenko would be dropped.
Responding to a question from the students whether any sanctions will be applied against Ukraine in connection with the political persecution of opposition leaders, the U.S. ambassador recalled that both leaders of his country and European countries talked with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych about the persecution of political opponents.
There is a serious concern and disappointment that this persecution continues, the ambassador said. However, Tefft said he could not speak about any sanctions, since there had been no such decision.
