Ukrainian Ministry Says Jailed Tymoshenko Fit To Leave Hospital

A supporter of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko holds up a picture of her during a rally in front of the Appeals Court building in Kyiv last week.

Ukraine's Health Ministry says jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is now fit to leave the hospital where she has spent the last nine months with back problems.

The ministry said in a statement that a medical commission has concluded Tymoshenko "no longer needs further treatment or rehabilitation in hospital."

Tymoshenko has been in prison since August 2011 but was moved in May 2012 from her Kharkiv prison to a hospital because she was in pain from a herniated disc.

Tymoshenko was convicted of abuse of power and jailed for seven years in 2011 after losing a 2010 presidential race to Viktor Yanukovych.

She is currently on trial on separate charges of fraud and tax evasion.

The European Union has called the charges against her politically motivated.

Based on reporting by AFP and Interfax