U.S. Urges Ukraine To Free Tymoshenko

A supporter of Yulia Tymoshenko holds her portrait during a rally in front of the Kyiv 's prison as they mark her 51st birthday

The United States has urged Ukraine to free former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko after she lost an appeal against her seven-year jail sentence on charges of abuse of power.

Tymoshenko was sentenced in October for abuse of power while prime minister in a case that was launched just months after she lost a close election to President Viktor Yanukovych.

Her sentence was upheld on December 23.

U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said Washington was "disappointed" by the court's ruling.

Toner said, "We urge the government of Ukraine to free Mrs Tymoshenko and the other former government officials currently in detention."

compiled from agency reports