Ukraine's ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko yesterday went on trial for alleged abuse of power, denouncing her rival President Viktor Yanukovych as a coward fearing political competition.
The former premier, known as the "Iron Lady", is accused of abuse of power in connection with a contract she signed with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin after a brief interruption of gas deliveries from Russia in early 2009.
Tymoshenko described the trial as a "kangaroo court" and vendetta orchestrated by the authorities.
"Whatever verdict is handed down, it will be a verdict against Yanukovych and not me," said Tymoshenko as several thousand of her supporters rallied in the streets near the courthouse in central Kiev.
The charges carry a sentence of between seven and 10 years, jeopardising Tymoshenko's ability to take part in
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