Brussels – Chairman of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs Elmar Brok has said that the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on an appeal of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko shows that selective justice exists in Ukraine, and he demanded the release of the ex-premier as soon as possible.
His statement, which was passed to an Interfax-Ukraine reporter in Brussels reads: “The ruling by the European Court of Human Rights confirms the trial against Tymoshenko was politically motivated. Tymoshenko must be freed immediately.”
Brok also stressed that in its judgment the ECHR illustrated the existence of selective and politically motivated justice in Ukraine.
“The ECHR found that Yulia Tymoshenko’s arrest was arbitrary. Ukraine is still miles away from fulfilling European standards,” he said.
While commenting on the court’s judgment on use of physical force against Tymoshenko, Brok noted that in no way it is an excuse for the Ukrainian justice system, as it is based on formal grounds due to the fact that Tymoshenko was not examined by medics.
“The ruling illustrates the necessity for Ukraine to end its selective justice as a pre-condition for signing the Association Agreement,” the politician said.
As reported, on April 30, 2013, the ECHR has ruled that the arrest of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on charges of exceeding her powers when signing the 2009 gas supply contracts with Russia was politically motivated and was conducted in violation of her rights.
