Ukrainian Draft Bill Submitted For Tymoshenko's Treatment Abroad

Supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko chat in a protest tent camp in central Kyiv on October 7.

A Ukrainian lawmaker has submitted to parliament a bill that would allow jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to travel abroad for medical treatment.

The bill would require Tymoshenko to return to Ukraine after her treatment to continue serving her seven-year prison sentence on abuse-of-power charges.

The text of the draft was made public on October 18.

It would apply to all convicts. A court would decide who is eligible for treatment abroad, as well as terms and conditions.

Parliament speaker Volodymyr Rybak said the draft will be discussed next week.

Tymoshenko's conviction and sentencing in 2011 was widely seen as politically motivated.

The European Union has made resolving her case a condition for signing association and free-trade agreements with Ukraine.

Two EU envoys have asked President Viktor Yanukovych to pardon Tymoshenko.

Ukrainian officials have filed separate charges that target Tymoshenko and hinted that she could be charged for ordering a murder.

Prosecutor-General Viktor Pshonka said in January that Tymoshenko could face life imprisonment for that alleged role, in the killing of Ukrainian businessman and legislator Yevhen Shcherban in 1996.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, and pravda.com.ua