German president cancels visit to Ukraine due to Tymoshenko scandal

 

German President Joachim Gauck has cancelled his official visit to Ukraine because Yulia Tymoshenko says she was beaten in prison, Ekho Moskvy reports.

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister and opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko was imprisoned according to a court decision, which many believe to have been politically motivated. Tymoshenko has recently announced that she was beaten by prison guards. The row attracted public attention both in Ukraine and abroad.

The German president decided to cancel his visit, as violations of human rights and democratic freedoms in Ukraine have become outrageous.
The president's decision was backed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.