Lutsenko, former Minister of the Interior, had been serving a four-year sentence for abuse of power, as the result of selective justice. The news might alleviate the West’s outrage and increase Ukraine’s chances of signing a cooperation agreement with Europe next fall. However, this seemingly positive move means very little for Ukraine’s democratic process, as the current ruling powers are determined to remain in that position.
Yulia Tymoshenko
Forbes: Yanukovych sets political prisoner free to please the West
European leaders, concerned over the anti-democratic course Ukraine has taken, received good news on Sunday: Ukraine’s president Victor Yanukovych pardoned Yuriy Lutsenko, an ally of the imprisoned opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.
