Poisoning Of Ukrainian Oppositionist Investigated

20 September 2004 -- Authorities launched an inquiry into the alleged poisoning of Viktor Yushchenko, Ukraine's opposition leader and a key candidate in next month's presidential election.
The spokesman for the Prosecutor-General's Office, Serhiy Rudenko, said today that the office is taking allegations of a possible attempt on Yuschenko's life seriously.

Yushchenko became ill early this month and after a week was rushed to a hospital in Vienna, Austria, where he underwent a weeklong treatment for several acute illnesses. His campaign manager claimed Yushchenko was poisoned, which doctors in Vienna said was possible but could not confirm.

(AP)