A leading Ukrainian opposition figure who has been detained in Italy is trying to remain in that country rather than going on trial in Ukraine.
Arsen Avakov, an ally of Ukraine's jailed ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, has been accused by Ukrainian prosecutors of abuse of power during his tenure as the governor of eastern Kharkiv region from 2004 to 2010.
He is a member of Tymoshenko's opposition Batkivschyna party.
A friend and political supporter of Avakov, Audrius Butkevichus, says the former Kharkiv governor wants to be tried in Italy because he thinks he will not get a fair trial in Ukraine.
Avakov's supporters say the case against him is politically motivated.
Ukrainian prosecutors said this week they were working to secure Avakov's extradition from Italy.
Arsen Avakov, an ally of Ukraine's jailed ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, has been accused by Ukrainian prosecutors of abuse of power during his tenure as the governor of eastern Kharkiv region from 2004 to 2010.
He is a member of Tymoshenko's opposition Batkivschyna party.
A friend and political supporter of Avakov, Audrius Butkevichus, says the former Kharkiv governor wants to be tried in Italy because he thinks he will not get a fair trial in Ukraine.
Avakov's supporters say the case against him is politically motivated.
Ukrainian prosecutors said this week they were working to secure Avakov's extradition from Italy.
