Ukrainian President Yanukovych has nothing to do with Tymoshenko arrest - spokesperson
KYIV. Aug 5 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has no relation to the arrest of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and is not interfering in the judicial branch's activity, presidential press secretary Darya Chepak told Interfax on Friday.
"The president has said repeatedly that his administration has no relation [to Tymoshenko's trial] and cannot interfere in the work of the judicial branch, which is stipulated by the constitution," Chepak said.
Justice Rodion Kyreyev, chairing at Tymoshenko's trial dealing with 2009 Ukrainian-Russian gas supply agreements, earlier granted the prosecution's request for Tymoshenko's arrest.
The court explained that the ruling for Tymoshenko's arrest was caused by her systematic violations. In particular, it said she obstructed the questioning of witnesses and deliberately dragged out the proceedings.
Judge Kyreyev also pointed out that Tymoshenko had repeatedly refused to tell the court her address and did not warn it that she would be late on August 5.