16:52 - YULIA TYMOSHENKO: JAGLAND (CoE), COURT OF STRASBOURG IS REVIEWING HER SITUATION
The health of the former Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Tymoshenko, and the conditions in which she is detained are being reviewed by the European Court for Human Rights. It was disclosed today by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, who said he is very worried about the news he has just received about Tymoshenko, who was already in poor health, having been even beaten up in jail. It is in the Ukrainian Governments interest - Jagland stated - to make such reports be transparently and reliably investigated and, if needed, to punish the offenders. Last August - he added -, Ms Tymoshenko appealed to the Court of Strasbourg, claiming that her indictment and detention were politically grounded, not criminally grounded, that the legitimacy of her temporary imprisonment was completely overlooked, that the conditions in which she is detained are inappropriate and she is not receiving appropriate health care. On 15th March, the Court asked the Ukrainian Government to provide details so as to understand whether Yulia Tymoshenko is actually receiving appropriate health care, and it is still waiting for a reply. I hope - Jagland concluded - I may receive its conclusions soon.