Alleged Abuse of Former Ukrainian PM Causes Euro 2012 Boycott - East Idaho News
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Alleged Abuse of Former Ukrainian PM Causes Euro 2012 Boycott

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GETTY W 050612 YULIA1?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1336319173795STR/AFP/GettyImages(NEW YORK) — The Euro 2012 soccer tournament is helping bring to light the controversy surrounding former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s imprisonment on what her supporters say are trumped up charges.

Tymoshenko, 51, was sentenced to seven years in prison in October 2011 for allegedly abusing her power and is currently serving her sentence. The European Union condemned the conviction, calling it “selective justice.”

Tymoshenko claimed she was severely beaten by prison guards, and has been on a hunger strike since April 20 in protest of her alleged mistreatment.

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Pshonka said Friday that there are no grounds for Tymoshenko’s claims.

Pshonka denied Tymoshenko’s request to launch a criminal investigation against those who allegedly mistreated her.

Tymoshenko, who has a herniated disc, refused to be treated by Ukrainian doctors, but agreed to begin medical treatment Tuesday at a hospital near the prison under the supervision of a German doctor.

German and Russian officials have offered to treat Tymoshenko in their respective countries, but Ukrianian law does not allow prisoners to leave the country for medical treatment.

Ukraine is scheduled to co-host the Euro 2012 Championship with Poland beginning in June, but European officials are now talking about boycotting the games Ukraine is hosting.

Austrian and Belgian officials have said they will not attend the games held in Ukraine. Officials in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and other countries are also considering boycotting the month-long event in protest against Tymoshenko’s alleged mistreatment.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

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