COPENHAGEN, 11 August 2011, OSCE PA President Petros Efthymiou today expressed concern over the detention of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko, who is on trial in Kyiv on abuse of office charges.

“I, along with the rest of the international community, am following this trial very closely and I would like to underline the need for fair, transparent and independent legal processes to avoid any perception of a policy of selective justice,” said President Efthymiou.

“While the charges against Ms. Tymoshenko are serious, the accusations that these proceedings are politically motivated are equally serious. I hope and expect that the authorities exercise the fullest degree of transparency in this prosecution and that the rule of law is respected. We are looking forward to working closely with the Ukrainian authorities and political parties in Ukraine to address the concerns and further strengthen Ukraineʼs democratic structures.”