A Ukrainian court has reportedly denied an appeal by ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko to block new criminal charges against her, opening the way for a trial in which she would have to defend herself against charges of embezzlement and tax evasion.
Judges in a Kyiv appeals court read the decision on December 21 after clearing the courtroom of reporters.
Tymoshenko, who was one of the leaders of Ukraine's 2004 pro-democracy Orange Revolution, was sentenced to seven years in prison in October on abuse of power charges.
She has appealed that ruling.
This latest judgment concerned new charges of tax evasion and embezzlement.
Prosecutors have claimed she committed the crimes while heading a natural gas import company in the 1990s, concealing some $165 million in corporate revenues and failing to pay $6 million in taxes.
compiled from agency reports
Judges in a Kyiv appeals court read the decision on December 21 after clearing the courtroom of reporters.
Tymoshenko, who was one of the leaders of Ukraine's 2004 pro-democracy Orange Revolution, was sentenced to seven years in prison in October on abuse of power charges.
She has appealed that ruling.
This latest judgment concerned new charges of tax evasion and embezzlement.
Prosecutors have claimed she committed the crimes while heading a natural gas import company in the 1990s, concealing some $165 million in corporate revenues and failing to pay $6 million in taxes.
compiled from agency reports