The High Anti-Corruption Court in Ukraine has granted permission for Yulia Tymoshenko, the leader of the Batkivshchyna party, to travel abroad. This decision comes as she faces allegations related to bribery involving members of parliament.
The court’s ruling allows Tymoshenko to attend an international event in Zagreb, Croatia, from April 27 to May 3. The judge partially approved her defense’s request to change her bail conditions.
Upon her return to Ukraine, Tymoshenko is required to submit her foreign passport to the authorities within three days. During her court appearance, she emphasized the significance of the event, noting that representatives from 65 countries would be present, which she believes could aid Ukraine through her connections.
Tymoshenko asserted her commitment to Ukraine, stating, “I will never leave Ukraine under any pressure of repression or hide away.”
Previously, on April 8, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) announced the completion of their investigation into Tymoshenko for allegedly offering bribes to lawmakers. The investigation materials have been made available to her legal team.
The backdrop to these events includes a series of allegations against Tymoshenko that surfaced in January. NABU and SAP reported the exposure of corruption involving a faction leader in the Ukrainian parliament, which sources indicated was Tymoshenko. Following this, she was officially notified of the charges against her.
Audio recordings released by NABU purportedly feature Tymoshenko discussing payment arrangements for specific votes in parliament. She has dismissed the investigations as a publicity stunt aimed at eliminating competition ahead of elections, asserting that the authorities found nothing incriminating.
In court, Tymoshenko claimed that the recordings involved a conversation with Igor Kopytin, a member of the ruling Servant of the People party, who she alleges was acting on behalf of NABU to compromise her. Kopytin, however, has denied any involvement in political games and reiterated his support for anti-corruption efforts.
Yulia Tymoshenko, facing bribery allegations, has been granted permission to travel to Croatia for an international event. The court's decision follows an investigation by anti-corruption authorities into her actions as a parliament leader.