Parliament could vote on amendments to decriminalize Tymoshenko charges today

Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, plans to take up today for consideration a set of bills that would decriminalize sections of the Criminal Code relating to economic and official misconduct, including portions being used to charge former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Kommersant reported this morning. President Viktor Yanukovych’s press service said last week he sent amendments to the Rada on similar grounds, but legal advisor Andriy Portnov said on Monday, according to Interfax, that changes to the articles relating to Tymoshenko’s charges were not included in that package. Brad Wells: The legislation on the agenda today was introduced by opposition parties friendly to Tymoshenko and have no chance of being passed without the support of the ruling coalition led by the Party of Regions. Politicians from Regions, in interviews yesterday, were coy about their support for such amendments, despite international pressure to free Tymoshenko. With her trial adjourned until October 11, a reprieve could come in some form this week.