Foreign Office Minister disappointed by verdict on Tymoshenko appeal
Minister for Europe David Lidington spoke after Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko's appeal was rejected.
He said:
“I am disappointed to hear that Yuliya Tymoshenko’s final domestic appeal against her October 2011 conviction has been turned down by the Higher Specialized Court of Ukraine for Civil and Criminal Cases. We have consistently drawn attention to independent expert concerns about the conduct of Ms Tymoshenko’s trial, and that of other opposition figures. The UK will continue to press Ukraine to end selective justice and to ensure that the opposition is able to participate fully in free and fair parliamentary elections in October. Progress on Ukraine’s Association Agreement with the EU will remain difficult without clear evidence that Ukraine is embracing democracy and the rule of law.”