Ukrainian Ex-Prime Minister Tymoshenko To Face New Trial For Tax Evasion

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko

Ukrainian authorities say an investigation into tax evasion allegations against jailed ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has been completed and papers have been sent to a Kharkiv court for a trial.

Kharkiv regional governor Hennadiy Tyurin said on March 29 that the new charges are related to Tymoshenko's activity as head of an energy company during the mid-1990s.

Ukrainian prosecutors said earlier the trial would start within weeks.

Tymoshenko is serving a seven-year prison sentence on charges of abuse of office.

Her supporters say the charges are a politically motivated attempt to remove Tymoshenko, a prominent opposition figure, from politics.

With reporting by Interfax and rbc.ua