Ukraine forced to cancel European Summit over Tymoshenko

KIEV. May 9. KAZINFORM  Ukraine had to call off a Central European summit in Yalta after some European leaders refused to attend the event over alleged ill-treatment of jailed West-leaning ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko, a diplomatic spokesman said.

According to RIA Novosti, "orange revolution" princess, Tymoshenko, 51, is serving a seven-year sentence for abuse of office following a trial that Western governments called politically motivated.

"Ukraine decided to postpone the summit and not to hold it on May 11-12 in Yalta," said Oleksandr Dykusarov, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry. "The event will be held at a later time that will be determined through diplomatic channels."

Leaders of Germany, Estonia, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Austria and Italy said they would shun the summit in the Ukrainian Black Sea resort in protest against the way the authorities handled the situation around the former premier who is suffering from severe back pain and has been diagnosed with a herniated spinal disc.

Last week, photos were circulated in the media showing Tymoshenko with bruises on her body, which she claims were inflicted by prison guards as they were forcibly transferring her to a hospital.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said European leaders refused to attend the summit before the scandal erupted around Tymoshenko's alleged assault and battery in prison.