Yanukovich continues to imprison opposition

[mendeleyev]

The Mendeleyev Journal:

(OPINION)

Two down and we expect more to go. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich seems intent on jailing anyone who might challenge him in the next election as a Kyiv (Kiev) court sentenced Yuri Lutsenko, Ukraine's former interior minister, to four years in prison for charges of embezzlement and abuse of office. Lutsenko was considered by some as a future challenger to Yanukovich.


(Members of Ukraine's press attempt to cover the "trial.")

In October former prime minister and presidential candidate Yulia Tymoshenko was given a seven-year sentence. Tymoshenko almost beat Yanukovich in the 2010 election and was seen by Yanukovich as the first opponent to prosecute given her popularity and potential of challenging the former-convicted-criminal-with-known-mafia-ties-turned-president in upcoming elections.

Human rights organizations have continued to warn of a growing rollback of democratic freedoms under the Yanukovich presidency and the Danish Helsinki Committee for Human Rights issued a statement saying: “Whatever sentence will be passed in the Lutsenko case it is not the result of a fair trial in a legal system respecting the rule of law and basic human rights principles.”


(Members of Ukraine's press cover the Yuri Lutsenko "trial.")

President Yanukovich, despite his past prison sentences and long ties to the Ukrainian mafia, says that his administration is waging a crackdown on corruption. That would be quite a feat given his background! Justice from the Yanukovich administration? What a joke as just recently the son of a high ranking official in the Yanukovich administration was given a suspended sentence for murder.

So, President Yanukovich, who is next?

[calmissile]

Mendy,
Thanks for bringing this to the boards attention.  I have been following the details of the 'show trials' in detail for many months.  It would seem that Ukraine has become one of the more corrupt nations in recent years.  The hopes of the Ukrainians for democracy coming out of the Orange Revolution is hopelessly sinking.

The EU and many other nations have put a great deal of pressure on Yanukovich to release political prisoner Yulia Tymoshenko from prison.  It seems he now has jailed his second challenger to the next election.

For those not familiar with the case of Juilia, you can subscribe to her Facebook page and get frequent updates.  The trials were a complete farce and most of the world are apalled by the corrupt legal/court system in Ukraine.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/Tymoshenko.UA

http://www.tymoshenko.ua/en

Please keep us informed as you have time.  The politics of Ukraine and Russia will be very interesting to watch over the next 24 months.

[calmissile]

Mendy,

I wonder what influence Putin is going to have over Ukriane in the upcoming months?  It seems there is a lot at stake that he might provide pressure one way or the other.  Your thoughts?

[mendeleyev]

CM, not avoiding your question but the election (last Sunday) has me scrambling in all directions. I'll try to answer this soon.

[Muzh]

Mendy,

I wonder what influence Putin is going to have over Ukriane in the upcoming months?  It seems there is a lot at stake that he might provide pressure one way or the other.  Your thoughts?

IMNSHO, Putin will be scrambling to save his hide. It will be a miracle if he finishes his full term. Trust me, Ukraine is the last thing in his mind right now.