EU says Ukraine confirms abuse of Tymoshenko

Ukraine’s ombudsperson’s office confirmed to the European Union that jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko was “subjected to physical violence” on April 20, according to a statement yesterday by Catherine Ashton, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy. After the alleged attack, Tymoshenko began a hunger strike. Ukrainian prison officials continue to deny Tymoshenko’s allegations. Both the EU and US have requested access for their ambassadors to visit Tymoshenko in jail.

Brad Wells: Confirmation from Ukraine’s ombudsperson’s office of abuse of Tymoshenko (via the EU) might be as much official confirmation from the Ukrainian government as the public will get – most observers view the efforts of Ukrainian prison officials and the prosecutor general to investigate the matter as hardly credible. Ukraine’s ombudsperson, a parliament-appointee, has been very sympathetic to the treatment of Tymoshenko and other alleged political prisoners, though a new candidate backed by the pro-presidential Party of Regions just confirmed this week, might change that office’s stance going forward. The latest developments in Tymoshenko’s situation already appears to be influencing how foreign governments are treating Ukraine – just yesterday news reports said Germany’s president cancelled a visit to Ukraine over the issue.