Lutsenko believes his release stabilizes political situation in Ukraine, will help its European integration
KYIV. April 8 (Interfax) - Ukraine's former interior minister Yuriy Lutsenko, who has recently been released after being pardoned by President Viktor Yanukovych, believes his release will be a factor in the stabilization of the political situation in the country.
"The formal precedent of Lutsenko's release, and possibility of Yulia Vladimirovna's [Tymoshenko's] release, will become a factor in the resumption of normal politics in this country," he said after meeting with EU Ambassador Ian Tombinsky on Monday, Channel 5 reported.
Lutsenko said this will have a positive effect on the further development of Ukrainian democracy and on the country's European prospects.
"EU protection is the only obstacle to a fall into the Customs Union 'black hole,'" Lutsenko said.
On April 5, it was reported that ombudsman Valeria Lutkovskaya asked Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to pardon Lutsenko. Among the reasons for her request she mentioned Lutsenko's health and the fact that he has already served most of his term.
On April 7, Yanukovych signed a decree pardoning Lutsenko. Lutsenko left the penal colony the same day.
The court had sentenced Lutsenko to four years in prison for abuse of office. He was supposed to walk free in December 2014.
