Tymoshenko jailed for 7 years over gas deal

Former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko was found guilty of abuse of office and jailed for seven years today.

The 50-year-old was charged with violating legal procedures during the signing of a natural gas import contract with Russia in 2009.

Tymoshenko has dismissed the trial as persecution ordered by her longtime foe, President Viktor Yanukovych, to stop her running for office. The US and EU have condemned it as politically motivated.

The judge ruled Tymoshenko was not authorised to agree the contract with Russia, and said the price was too high, causing losses to the state. During the proceedings the court was urged to fine her the equivalent of $190,000. Tymoshenko has already been jailed for more than two months during the trial for contempt of court.

She denied the charges and said the judge did not give her enough time to prepare her final remarks. "This is pure falsification," she said. "This lynching ... is continuing to serve the liquidation of opposition."