Ukraine Court Adjourns Tymoshenko Case on Medical Grounds

KYIV, Ukraine, July 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The latest court case against former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has been adjourned on medical grounds, granting her on-going treatment by German doctors.

Tymoshenko has been receiving treatment at the Central Clinical Hospital No.5 in Kharkiv for what her legal team has termed "numerous health problems" that include a bad back.

She was due to appear in court on Tuesday, July 11^th, but her legal team this week asked for an adjournment based on the recommendation of her doctors.

The court agreed and has adjourned the case until July 23.

A Foreign Ministry Spokesman said: "This is a decision of the court, which has agreed to special measures for the well-being of Yulia Tymoshenko."

"When she first asked to be treated outside prison, that was granted.

"When she asked for independent German doctors, that request was also granted.

"These gestures are likely the reason why the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) last month agreed she is receiving 'adequate medical treatment in an appropriate institution.'"

Aside from complaining of a bad back, Tymoshenko has this year embarked on a hunger strike and suffered bruises when she struggled during the transfer from prison to a hospital outside the prison.

The ECHR examined all these issues before ruling her medical treatment has been adequate.

She presently stays at the hospital where she receives around the clock care, which includes access to regular chiropractic treatment. Tymoshenko had previously received massages from her personal masseuse, who brought her own massage table to the prison to alleviate Tymoshenko's back pain.

In October last year Tymoshenko was sentenced to seven years in prison for exceeding her authority as Prime Minister in concluding a gas deal with Russia that continues to make Ukrainians pay nearly double the price of Germany for their energy needs.

In the case now before the court, Tymoshenko faces charges that include organizing the appropriation of public funds through abuse of office and forgery.

The case relates to her earlier role with United Energy Systems Ukraine (UESU), which monopolised Ukraine's gas supply in the late 1990s.

SOURCE Ukraine Foreign Affairs