Reaction to Four Year Sentence for Lutsenko

On February 27, former Minister of Interior and opposition leader Yuri Lutsenko was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment with confiscation of property on allegations of abuse of office and corruption. Lutsenko is the head of the People’s Self-Defence Party - Our Ukraine Bloc. His alleged offences include illegally granting an apartment to his driver and financial irregularities relating to celebrations marking National Police Day.

Min. Baird Troubled by Conviction of Lutsenko

 
Ottawa, February 27, 2012 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird issued the following statement:

“The conviction of the former Minister of the Interior of Ukraine, Yuri Lutsenko, continues a troubling trend in Ukraine.

“This is yet another case of apparent political bias and arbitrary prosecution in Ukraine.

“This conviction, like that of Yulia Tymoshenko before it, runs counter to the democratic aspirations of the Ukrainian people, and undermines the institutions upon which a peaceful, prosperous and democratic society depends.

“Canada continues to advocate for freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law for all Ukrainians.”

 
MP Bezan Slams Ukrainian Government

 
Ottawa - James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk-Interlake stated: “It is undeniable that the current government in Ukraine is on a politically motivated mission to silence their opposition… This selective justice, first illustrated by the conviction of Ms. Tymoshenko and now Mr. Lutsenko is reminiscent of the former Soviet Union. These are nothing but show trials.

“The fact that those being imprisoned are political opponents of President Yanukovych, and Lutsenko’s alleged offences includes charges that were as miniscule as illegally granting an apartment to his driver, show that the trend of political repression in Ukraine is continuing, not ending,” said Bezan.

Ms. Tymoshenko is currently being held in a labour camp in Ukraine where reportedly German doctors diagnosed her with a hernia that has gone untreated. Tymoshenko’s family says she is in severe pain that is preventing her from walking or sleeping properly.

“The treatment of Ms. Tymoshenko is absolutely appalling,” said Bezan. “The Ukrainian government can start repairing its tarnished reputation by allowing Tymoshenko full access to the medical attention she requires.”

 
UCC Concerned About Further Repression of Opposition in Ukraine

 
Ottawa, February 28, 2012 - “The Ukrainian Canadian Congress calls upon the Government of Canada to formally and publicly express its concern and dismay as to the process and verdict in this case. What we have witnessed today is another example of the politically motivated selective justice being meted out by the Government of Ukraine, targeting opposition politicians in advance of October’s [parliamentary] elections to the Verkhovna Rada,” stated UCC President Paul Grod. “This court case and verdict is the latest example of political repression in Ukraine and we believe that the world must stand up and take note of the situation in Ukraine.”

Former acting Defence Minister Valery Ivashchenko, has also been in detention since August 2010, on charges of illegally selling a ship-repair factory in Crimea. Former Economy Minister Bohdan Danylyshyn, is in exile in the Czech Republic where he has been granted asylum.

These turn of events highlight the importance of the UCC sponsored conference “Ukraine at the Crossroads” on March 7-8 in Ottawa, organized by Canada-Ukraine Foundation and University of Ottawa, which will bring together global experts to discuss issues of democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and corruption in Ukraine.

For more information on the conference please visit www.ucc.ca

PHOTO

Yuri Lutsenko