The United States voiced concern on Thursday over criminal cases against former officials in Ukraine, saying the prosecutions looked like selective justice against President Viktor Yanukovich's political opponents.
Prosecutors charged former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko this month with abuse of office and have detained several members of her former cabinet in recent months. Tymoshenko narrowly lost a presidential run-off to Yanukovich in February.
"When, with few exceptions, the only senior officials being targeted are connected with the previous government, it gives the appearance of selective prosecution of political opponents," the U.S. embassy said in a statement posted on its website.
"We have raised with the Ukrainian government our concern that while corruption should be pursued, prosecution should not be selective or politically motivated," it added.
Tymoshenko, 50, has said she faces up to 10 years in jail. She denies charges of misusing state funds raised by selling carbon emission rights under the Kyoto protocol.
Tymoshenko was a leader of the 2004 "Orange revolution" that denied Yanukovich victory on his first bid for the presidency. She served as prime minister from 2007-2010.
Several members of her cabinet, including ministers of interior, economy and environment, are also accused of abuse of office.
Yanukovich has quickly consolidated power at home and has tilted Ukraine’s foreign policy toward Russia since taking office. He has denied any political motivation in Tymoshenko’s case
