A former Ukrainian environment minister has been sentenced to three years in jail.
Heorhiy Filipchuk was found guilty on April 6 of abuse of power when signing an agreement while in office regarding an international firm involved in exploiting Ukraine’s Black Sea resources.
Filipchuk pleaded not guilty.
His lawyer told journalists that his client was just following instructions from then-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
Tymoshenko is currently serving a seven-year jail term for abuse of office -- a charge she denies.
Another former member of Tymoshenko's government, ex-Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko, was sentenced to four years in jail on similar charges in February.
He also denies the charges.
Heorhiy Filipchuk was found guilty on April 6 of abuse of power when signing an agreement while in office regarding an international firm involved in exploiting Ukraine’s Black Sea resources.
Filipchuk pleaded not guilty.
His lawyer told journalists that his client was just following instructions from then-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
Tymoshenko is currently serving a seven-year jail term for abuse of office -- a charge she denies.
Another former member of Tymoshenko's government, ex-Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko, was sentenced to four years in jail on similar charges in February.
He also denies the charges.