The Ukrainian authorities are launching what they describe as a programme to battle corruption. BBC

18 January 2011 – From Kiev, the BBC’s David Stern reports.

In opposition but still under attack, Yulia Tymoshenko has been charged with an abuse of power whilst she was prime minister. She is alleged to have misused around 380 Million Euros earmarked for environmental spending but she remains defiant. The victim, she says, of a political witch hunt.

"I am convinced that peoples’ wisdom and their need for freedom is stronger than any political actions or repression." [Yulia Tymoshenko, Former Ukrainian Prime Minister]

It’s only a year since she lost a close and hard fought presidential election to Viktor Yanukovych. Now she accuses him of trying to crush her and her political allies. Yuriy Lutsenko the country’s former Interior Minister was arrested recently while walking his dog. Others have been detained or charged. But government officials say that Mrs Tymoshenko has simply been caught up in a general anti-corruption investigation. They call her claims of repression 'political grandstanding'.

"We have lived as an independent country for 20 years. Every administration stole. Everyone. No one ever answered for anything." [Hanna Herman, Deputy Head of Presidential Administration]

The reaction among Ukrainians has been mixed. Many believe that Ukraine’s entire political class is culpable. Others say that Mrs Tymoshenko is being singled out for punishment.

But the United States and the European Union have raised concerns over Kyiv’s anti-corruption crusade. They say that with few exceptions the arrests and criminal cases are aimed at the opposition. This could give the impression that the campaign was politically motivated.

[David Stern, BBC News, Kyiv].

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