Former Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko, was sentenced to seven years in prison

Former Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko

She was charged with abuse of power in the signing in 2009 of a treaty with Russia on gas purchases. Tymoshenko then signed a contract to import Russian gas worth 1.5 billion hryvnia (186 million dollars).

Former leader of the “Orange Revolution” argues that the charges against her are politically motivated. It says it will appeal against the sentence and will fight for Ukraine “to the last breath”.

U.S. officials and the European Union condemned this decision, in their opinion, is to eliminate political opponents. European officials have suggested that Yulia Tymoshenko arrest could be a serious blow in the Ukraine to join the European Union.

Police had to intervene when groups of supporters and opponents of former Prime Minister gathered outside the court. Rodion and judge decided that the accused Kireyev to pay 186 million dollars, the amount that would have been lost by the gas company, following the signing of the agreement.

While the verdict was read by the judge, Tymoshenko called he wants to “fight to defend their name,” adding that Ukraine has returned to the arrangements applied by Stalin in 1937. She also said that his case will go to the European Court of Human Rights.