Ukraine: President Weighs Rival’s Release

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/18/world/europe/ukraine-president-weighs-rivals-release.html

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President Viktor F. Yanukovich signaled Thursday that his main rival, former Prime Minister Yulia V. Tymoshenko, could be released from prison and sent to Germany to be treated for a back problem. The West condemns Ms. Tymoshenko’s jailing on abuse of power charges as politically motivated and has been pressing Mr. Yanukovich to release her. The European Union has refused to sign an integration agreement with Ukraine as long as Ms. Tymoshenko remains in jail. Two European Union envoys have recommended that she be pardoned on humanitarian grounds and be sent to Germany for treatment. Mr. Yanukovich said that if Parliament passed a bill allowing Ms. Tymoshenko’s release to Germany for medical treatment, he would support it.