Strasbourg, 10/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - In a resolution adopted on Thursday 9 June, the European Parliament states that it is concerned by the increase in selected cases against figures from the political opposition in Ukraine, particularly in the case of Yulia Tymoshenko, the former prime minister, and Yuriy Lutsenko, the former home affairs minister, who has been imprisoned since late last year. Stressing the importance of the “greatest transparency” in the field of justice, it warns against any use of criminal law as a tool to achieve political objectives. Tymoshenko, who was accused of abuses of power in contracts for imports of gas signed with Russia, will go on trial. The MEPs call on the European Commission to look into creating a “high-level consultative group” to help Kiev in its efforts to come into line with European law, including the justice sector. The S&D Group voted against the resolution, which was initiated by the EPP, the political family to which Tymoshenko's party belongs. Recognising the importance of respect for the rule of law in Ukraine, the Austrian Hannes Swoboda stated in a press release that all political forces, both inside and outside Ukraine, should refrain from any interference in the work of the legal authorities of the country. (M.B./transl.fl)