KIEV, May 4 (Reuters) – Ukrainian prosecutors have found no
proof of alleged beating by prison guards of jailed opposition
politician Yulia Tymoshenko, prosecutor general Viktor Pshonka
said on Friday.
Tymoshenko, a former prime minister and opponent of
President Viktor Yanukovich, said last week prison guards beat
her during a forced visit to a hospital and her supporters
circulated photographs showing bruises on her arms and abdomen.
The allegation alarmed Western politicians who consider her
a political prisoner.
But Pshonka said his office was unable to verify her claims.
“Following an investigation, the request to launch a
criminal case has been denied,” he told reporters.
The European Union has condemned Tymoshenko’s conviction on
abuse-of-office charges last October as an example of selective
justice and shelved landmark deals on political association and
free trade with Ukraine over the issue.
(Reporting by Olzhas Auyezov)
