Timoshenko suspected of attempting to bribe Ukrainian MPs

MOSCOW. Jan 14 (Interfax) - Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office have named Batkivshchina faction leader Yulia Timoshenko a suspect in an attempt to bribe MPs to secure certain voting results, the Ukrainian media reported, citing the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.

NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office have conducted searches in the Batkivshchina office, and Timoshenko was then named a suspect.

According to Ukrainian media reports, Timoshenko confirmed on social media the searches in the Batkivshchina office, but denied "all absurd accusations" made against her, saying they are politically motivated.

"They didn't find anything, so they just took my work phones, parliamentary documents and personal savings, which are fully documented in an official declaration. I categorically deny all absurd accusations. It looks like the elections are much closer than they seemed. And someone has decided to start getting rid of rivals. This isn't the first political hit against me. Persecution and terror have been my daily life for many years. I haven't been afraid of anything for a long time because I know that I am true to myself, to the people and to Ukraine," Timoshenko said.