11 Oct 2011 | Index Index, minipost
One of Ukraine‘s most popular and powerful politicians has been sentenced to seven years in prison. Yulia V Tymoshenko carried out negotiations with Russia regarding the price of natural gas during 2009, which cost the Ukrainian treasury £118 million, and damaged the country’s own gas industry. The judge, Rodion Kireye, said that Tymoshenko had “used her official powers to criminal ends”, and “committed actions which clearly exceeded her rights and powers”. Tymoshenko believes that the trial is politically-motivated revenge. The European Union immediately issued a message via Twitter saying it was “deeply disappointed with the verdict”.
22 Sep 2011 | Index Index, minipost
Ukranian journalists have gathered in Kharkiv to protest the closure of local television channels. The protesters, who gathered at the Mayor’s office on Monday, taped their mouths closed and brought a symbolic coffin which they said was filled with reports that were not aired as a result of the closures. The protesters believe that Kharkiv Mayor Hennady Kernes is responsible for giving the order leading to the station closures. Kernes rejected the charges and said the management at the Kharkiv TV channels who have criticized him should apologize for making “cynical” accusations.
10 Aug 2011 | Index Index, minipost
The apartment of Ukrainian journalist Oleksiy Matsuka, who is editor-in-chief of the News of Donbass website and the head of a regional public organisation, the Donetsk Institute of Information, was set on fire on the afternoon of 31 July. Matsuka was not in the apartment when the incident took place. He sees a link between the arson and his journalistic activity, as well as his work in the public domain. “I wrote several articles about the lives of authorities, their incomes, sources of financing. And officials may not like this,” he said.
21 Apr 2011 | Index Index, minipost
The editor of the Kyiv Post, Brian Bonner, was reinstated to his post on 19 April after journalists for Ukraine’s leading English newspaper went on strike protesting his dismissal. Bonner was sacked on 15 April after publishing an interview with the Agricultural Minister which touched on the sensitive topic of grain export quotas. The newspaper’s British owner, Mohammad Zahoor, had pressured him to discard the interview.
