You're reading: Ukrainian World Congress calls for Tymoshenko’s immediate release

Editor’s Note: The following statement was issued on Aug. 5 2011 by the Ukrainian World Congress

“Today’s arrest of Ukraine’s former Prime Minister and main opposition leader, Yulia Tymoshenko, during her trial, which is widely viewed as politically motivated, is a major step backwards for the government of Ukraine. Given that Ukraine is representing Europe as Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe until November 2011, co-host of EURO 2012, and Chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in 2013, it is critical for Ukraine’s government to release Ms. Tymoshenko immediately, to comply with its international commitments, and to refrain from using criminal proceedings as a means to achieving political ends.”