U.S. leaders ask for Tymoshenko

Congressmen and members of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, led by Chairman Rep. Christopher Smith, sent a letter to Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych asking for the release from prison of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and former Internal Affairs Minister Yurii Lutsenko, the Fatherland party reported on its web site on Jan. 10. The letter voiced concern for their access to proper medical care and privacy from 24-hour video surveillance, and called for the full renewal of the civil and political rights upon their release. “We are deeply troubled by serious setbacks to Ukraine’s democratic development, including the practice of selective justice and targeting of leading opposition political figures for prosecution,” the letter said.