In December 2010, former Ukrainian Prime Minister Julia Tymoshenko had been accused for financial irregularities. The trial started on 24 June this year in a district court in Kiev, then Tymoshenko has been arrested for on 5th of August.
– Ukraine is an important and valued partner. With its chairmanship of the Council of Europe and the upcoming chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Ukraine plays a key international role. This puts a great responsibility on Ukraine to show that the country lives up to the highest standards of democracy, human rights and rule of law. Politically motivated or selective prosecution would be in violation of important norms and Ukraine's international obligations. From the Norwegian side, we urge Ukrainian authorities to ensure that the rule of law are complied with the case against former Prime Minister Tymoshenko, says the Minister.
August 5, 2011, Tymoshenko was arrested on charges of "abuse of power" when signing the "contract for the supply of gas to Ukraine in 2009", but prosecutor general's office does not accuse Tymoshenko of "corruption or embezzlement of funds".International organizations, representatives of the European Union and the United States called this arrest : "political persecution of opposition leader".
