Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Prejudice and intimidation

Not for the first time, PM Azarov has made highly prejudicial public statements concerning the criminal charges being faced by his predecessor, Yulia Tymoshenko.

When asked in a television interview why Tymoshenko had signed such an allegedly bad gas deal for Ukraine, Azarov explained: "Shortly there will be a trial. Let's listen to what will be said at the trial. I can only express my own supposition. There was an interest - of course - 100%" - I think, a personal interest. Because to move away from from the state's interests, and to sign such uncomfortable conditions, is difficult."

The premier declared: "What other interests could there be there, other than personal?"

With such statements emanating from the president and PM, and with the Ukrainian judiciary being so tightly controlled by Yanukovych's 'vertikal', how can any judge possibly acquit Tymoshenko?

The numerous grim-faced policemen glowering over Tymoshenko's shoulder in the courtroom during the pre-trial hearings [see previous blog] were there no only to intimidate the accused, but to intimidate the young bright-eyed, bushy tailed judge...

And yes, the behaviour of Tymoshenko's supported in the courtroom was also intimidatory - as was the presence of a large number of mysterious young persons, wearing tee-shirts with anti-Tymoshenko images, sent with the intention of packing the courtroom even tighter..

No fair trial can take place in such circumstances..but it has nothing to do with the pursuit of justice has it?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

By implication, hereby Azarov also makes serious accusations against Putin. No wonder Putin openly has demonstrated his contempt for both Azarov and Yanukovych. And to the disappointment of Ukrainian officials, Putin has repeatedly stated that the 2009 gas agreement was completely comparable with agreements with other European countries, applying similar price formulas, and in reality advantagous for Ukraine.