Ukrainian Vandals Trash Tymoshenko's Cousin's Cafe

Supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko protest outside a courthouse in Kharkiv in September.

Unknown vandals in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipropetrovsk have damaged a cafe belonging to a cousin of jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

Tymoshenko's cousin Tetyana Sharapova said the attackers destroyed a fountain, broke 17 light poles, and several benches.

According to her, the total damage amounted to some $6,500.

She added that two young women visited her cafe during working hours on October 9 and introduced themselves as journalists, asking Sharapova if the cafe was in fact owned by Tymoshenko or her daughter.

Sharapova said the attack was most likely politically motivated.

Tymoshenko was jailed for seven years in October 2011 for abuse of power while serving as prime minister.

She says her case was politically motivated.

Tymoshenko's prosecution has been condemned by the European Union and the United States.

Based on reporting by UNIAN and Interfax