Ukraine court sends Tymoshenko to jail

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko exceeded her powers in a gas deal with Russia, a court in Kiev has ruled. The case relates to her ordered to state energy firm Naftogaz to sign a gas deal with Russia in 2009. Ukraine court sends Tymoshenko to jail Tymoshenko exceeded her powers by personally issuing directives related to the deal, which the current government claims cost Ukraine huge sums of money, a judge said, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported. The former premier was thus found guilty and sentenced to seven years in prison, as prosecutors requested. The BBC is reporting that Tymoshenko rejected the charges against her as politically motivated, "and vowed to fight for Ukrainian democracy till her last breath". Tymoshenko was arrested in August of this year. The U.S. and the EU previously condemned the proceedings against her. (Beta, file)

Ukraine court sends Tymoshenko to jail

Tymoshenko exceeded her powers by personally issuing directives related to the deal, which the current government claims cost Ukraine huge sums of money, a judge said, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported.

The former premier was thus found guilty and sentenced to seven years in prison, as prosecutors requested.

The BBC is reporting that Tymoshenko rejected the charges against her as politically motivated, "and vowed to fight for Ukrainian democracy till her last breath".

Tymoshenko was arrested in August of this year.

The U.S. and the EU previously condemned the proceedings against her.