Yulia Tymoshenko arrested (photo)

Judge Rodion Kireyev of the Pechersk District Court has granted the prosecution’s request to change the restrictive measure against Yulia Tymoshenko from a travel ban to arrest.

“Because of regular violations, interference in establishing the truth, and violating court order the court rules to change the restrictive measure to arrest,” Rodion Kireyev said, announcing the court’s ruling after spending an hour in the deliberation room.

Yulia Tymoshenko believes the prosecution’s request was related to her “uncomfortable” questions to witness Mykola Azarov. “The court and prosecution because I asked awkward questions regarding corruption at RosUkrEnergo immediately announced a change in sanctions from a travel ban to my arrest,” she told journalists.

Yulia Tymoshenko’s defense lawyer Serhiy Vlasenko tried to entire the courtroom, but was stopped by Berkut police officers. The ex-premier was escorted out of the courtroom. Afterwards, Gryphon officers for some time didn’t allow people to leave the courtroom and Berkut officers filled the court hallway.