Brussels, 25/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton is to closely follow the new criminal investigation opened against the former prime minister of Ukraine, Yulia Tymoshenko. “We will follow closely these new cases and we continue to insist on the need to ensure due legal processes in line with international standards”, said Ashton's spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic, referring to the last trial against Tymoshenko. She added: “We are looking forward to more detail about the legal grounds of this case.”
The office of the general prosecutor of Ukraine has decided to reopen an investigation involving Yulia Tymoshenko in relation to an alleged embezzlement of €2.24 million in budget funds and €1.79 million tax evasion in 1996-97 by the United Energy Systems of Ukraine (UESU) when she was at the head of the energy group. The Ukrainian security service head, responsible for the inquiry, has launched an investigation against Pavlo Lazarenko and Yulia Tymoshenko regarding a liability of $405.5 of the UESU allegedly imposed on the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers. (CG/transl.jl)