You're reading: Tymoshenko refused permission to travel to Brussels

Editor's Note: The following is a statement issued on Jan. 31 by the press service of Ukrainian opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

The Bloc of Yulia Tymoshenko – Batkivshchyna has announced today that the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has refused permission for Ms Tymoshenko to travel to Brussels to meet with European leaders. Several grounds were given for refusing Ms Tymoshenko permission to travel.

Firstly, that the PGO needed “to hold investigative procedures” (questioning) with her during the period she would be away. Secondly, that the authorities had information to suggest Ms Tymoshenko may use her travel abroad to leave the country and so avoid investigation.

“I have no intention to flee the country but every intention to fight for democracy in Ukraine,” said Ms Tymoshenko. “It took them six days to make their decision, which has nothing to do with justice and up-holding the rule of law. They are scared that European leaders would hear first-hand about the political persecution in my country.”

Ms Tymoshenko received invites for meetings with President Wilfried Martens and Secretary General Antonio López Istúriz of the European People’s Party (EPP) between 31 January – 4 February, and President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek on 2 February.

Also, she was invited by Bence Bauer, the Chairman of European Democrat Students (EDS), to be a panel speaker at the 50th anniversary celebration of centre-right student and youth political association on 1 February.

The letter of invitation signed by the EPP President and Secretary General said that the EPP “finds alarming the recent actions of the government towards the democratic opposition. In particular the EPP is very concerned with the criminal case opened against you.”

Ms Tymoshenko made her request to travel to Brussels on Tuesday, 25 January. Her original request was denied on the grounds that she did not supply “certified” translations of the official letters. Next day her lawyer filed the appropriate translations along with notarised documents.

Ms Tymoshenko is facing two criminal investigations for alleged abuse of office whilst she was prime minister. She denies any wrong doing and dismisses the allegations as part of the pattern of persecution against former ministers and officials from her government.

The charges are widely regarded as politically motivated. Concern has been expressed by the US and German governments, European Parliament, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), European People’s Party and by human rights NGOs.