Russia Profile: Heat of the law
As former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s trial for abuse of office adjourned last Friday, observers were left guessing as to the possible outcome when the judge reaches a decision in less than two weeks. Though many have long expected a guilty verdict, recent developments have suggested that things may not be quite as predictable as they seem. Increasing pressure from the West may be enough to turn the tide in Tymoshenko’s favor, and the outcome might bring even more unexpected trouble for President Viktor Yanukovych. Tymoshenko offered a four-hour long closing argument on Sept. 29, a day before the trial adjourned, in which she reiterated her position that the charges against her are politically motivated and that the decision had been reached long before the trial even began. Read the story here.