Yanukovych: I really want to have mercy on Tymoshenko

President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych would like to have mercy on ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, but can only do this after decision-making in all courts. According to Gazeta.ru, he said this in an interview with The Time magazine. “Of course. Of course, I want,” Yanukovych said, answering the question of whether he really wants to have mercy on Tymoshenko. "When the courts decide their decisions, including the European Court of Human Rights, after this issue will be in the powers of the president - to provide forgiveness. And when this moment comes, there is a procedure for this. But so far the courts have not made their decision according to a transparent and legal procedure, I am not able to do it," Yanukovych said.

In December 2011, Yanukovych said that he was personally interested in Yulia Tymoshenko “as quickly as possible” to be released from custody, but could not interfere in this process. "I am not against Tymoshenko to be released under certain conditions provided for in Ukrainian laws. Moreover, I would like this matter to be completed as soon as possible. I am more interested in more than someone else," Yanukovych said.

At the same time, the president said that if he personally intervenes in the issue of the liberation of Tymoshenko, this will be a crime. “It will also be a crime if I begin to abuse my position,” Yanukovych explained. "The country has the rule of law. And I, as the President,, according to the Constitution, have no right to interfere with the judiciary," he said. Yanukovych did not answer the question if he considers Tymoshenko guilty. “The court decides everything. I will always reckon with the court decision,” Yanukovych said.

“I never want you to replace investigators or judges. I know what it is, and never did it and I will not do it.“ I can’t take responsibility in matters for which I have no authority, ”Yanukovych concluded.

In October 2011, Tymoshenko was sentenced to seven years in prison for abuse of powers when concluding gas contracts with Russia in 2009. Later, she was charged with concealing revenue in the amount of more than $ 165 million, theft of budget funds and tax evasion worth more than $ 5.8 million. These episodes relate to the work of Tymoshenko as president of the President of the Corporation "Unified Energy Systems of Ukraine" in 1996-97. In total, four criminal cases regarding the work of the former prime minister in the EECU are resumed. All of them are combined into one production.