Accessibility links

Breaking News

Yanukovych Accuses Tymoshenko In Lawmaker’s Murder


Jailed Ukrainian ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko (left) talks with President Viktor Yanukovych in 2006.
Jailed Ukrainian ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko (left) talks with President Viktor Yanukovych in 2006.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych is quoted as saying he believes jailed ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko "participated" in the murder of lawmaker Yevhen Shcherban.

The wealthy Shcherban was gunned down in Donetsk in November 1996, in a case Ukrainian prosecutors linked to a struggle over the control of energy resources.

Yanukovych told the U.S.-based Bloomberg news service in an interview: "Various criminal cases were carried out with Tymoshenko's participation."

Yanukovych continued: "Including Shcherban's murder. There were motives."

No further details were given by the president.

Ukrainian prosecutors earlier announced that they are investigating Tymoshenko in connection with Shcherban's murder.

Tymoshenko denies any wrongdoing.

Her current seven-year jail sentence, for abuse of power when she was premier, has been condemned by the European Union and United States as politically motivated.

Based on reporting by bloomberg.com

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG