Ukraine's Former PM remains under arrest

On 11.08.2011, the President of Ukraine, Viktor Ianoukovitch, refused to intervene in the course of justice in the case of the former Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko, put under arrest for contempt of court during her trial for power abuse. The case triggered little international reactions but Ukrainian opposition continue appeals in her favour.

Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko of Ukraine arrested

Mykola Azarov, Prime Minister of Ukraine testified in Kiev against former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko who is accused for abuse of power after signing gas contracts with Russia in 2009. She was detained shortly after for contempt of court.
Yulia Timoshenko is also Batkivshchyna party leader and her arrest has arisen immediate response both inside the country and abroad.
Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, and Stefan F·le, the European Union Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, made a statement expressing concern about the state of the rule of law in Ukraine.
A similar position was voiced by President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also commented on Timoshenko’s arrest and urged for a fair and unbiased trial.