Tymoshenko appeal moves forward

Ukraine’s Higher Specialized Court for Civil and Criminal Cases adjourned yesterday for the judge to deliberate his decision on an appeal by former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko against her seven-year jail sentence after an October 2011 guilty ruling for her role in the signing of 2009 gas contracts with Russia. Tymoshenko’s lawyer said he expected a decision on the appeal in mid-September.

Brad Wells: Though the conduct of this hearing appears to have been more fair than Tymoshenko’s initial trial last year, most observers would still be surprised if the previous conviction is overturned. The conclusion of this case though does open the door for Tymoshenko’s lawyers to file a claim with the European Court for Human Rights, which can only be done once the Ukrainian legal process is completed.