Lawyer: Tymoshenko can turn to Strasbourg if forced into video-link trial

According to lawyer Valentina Telychenko, a video-link without the consent of former Prime Minister and opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko would be grounds for an application to the European Court of Human Rights. Ms Telychenko stated at a press conference on 13 August that such a measure would be a violation of the right to a fair trial. She is also adamant that illness cannot be grounds for using video-conference facilities and pointed out that Ms Tymoshenko herself is opposed to this.

A second defence lawyer, Oleksy Bahanets pointed out that according to the new Criminal Procedure Code distance court proceedings cannot be held without the written consent of the person accused and it is intended for certain hearings, not for the entire case.

Yulia Tymoshenko is already serving a sentence over the 2009 “gas accords” with Russia which has been denounced as politically motivated by all democratic countries and bodies. In the new prosecution she is accused of organizing concealment of foreign currency profit of over 155 million USD; illegal compensation with public funding and tax evasion amounting to over 47 million UAH through financial machinations.  The criminal investigation was initiated some years back then terminated in early 2005.  Yulia Tymoshenko’s defence lawyers are adamant that it was terminated lawfully.

Information about the press conference and the photo from UNIAN