“In fact there is no universally accepted definition for political prisoners. However, a political prisoner is generally defined as a person who is imprisoned for his or her political activities, particularly those who oppose or criticize the government of their countries. In October 2012, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), of which Ukraine is a member, became the first major intergovernmental organization to approve concrete criteria for what defines a political prisoner. In light of the ECHR’s verdict, and the above mentioned criteria, Tymoshenko is indeed a political prisoner,” said Amanda Paul from the European Policy Centre
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“I do not believe this decision will lead to sanctions against Ukrainian officials at this time. There is still a window of opportunity for Ukraine’s leadership to do the right thing and free Mrs Tymoshenko. Firstly, Ukraine had already pledged to accept the verdict of the Court which means they need to act on it and secondly, Ukraine’s leadership is presently working with the European Parliament Monitoring Mission of Pat Cox, former President of the European Parliament, and Aleksander Kwaśniewski, former President of the Republic of Poland to end selective justice in the country. There is a lot at stake and it is not too late for Ukraine to turn the situation around, if the appropriate steps are taken my Kyiv,” added expert in her comment to The Ukrainian Week magazine.
