Lawsuits to regain state assets, allegedly misappropriated with former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's participation, are being prepared in the United States, Switzerland, Britain and other European countries,
“Some countries want us to free Tymoshenko. However, reports were
circulated yesterday, claiming that the Ministry of Revenue and Duties
has asked a leading international firm engaged in recovering assets lost
in corrupt political schemes, has filed lawsuits with courts in the
United States and Switzerland. But lawsuits could also be filed with
courts in Britain and other European countries which, incidentally want
Tymoshenko to be extradited,” leader of the Party of Regions faction
Oleksandr Yefremov said at a press briefing on Tuesday.
“There are weighty reasons to suspect that large sums -about half a
billion dollars, or even $1 billion, according to a report I received
today – will be claimed by this agency to be returned to Ukraine. The
question will logically arise in any country: if there are people who,
due to their political activities or official position, managed to
export these resources, do they bear responsibility before the nation?
Any European state will say they do,” he said.
“Now what are we going to do in this situation? Are we to run faster
than the locomotive, or should we ask our partners in the European Union
about what we are supposed to do about it?” Yefremov said.
The situation, whether we like it or not, “is influencing Ukraine’s
talks with the EU on the associated membership agreement,” he said.
“If a leading international firm has decided to deal with this
matter, it is a fact which one cannot disregard and which will continue
influencing the process,” Yefremov said.
He made a point that he is not accusing Tymoshenko, but is only saying that, “a certain process is underway.”
“It would probably be stupid for us, and for you, to turn a blind eye on this,” he said.
“So, what will happen next? Suppose a court will make a positive
decision. What are we going to do then? We are expected to violate
certain laws and make certain decisions that will make Tymoshenko’s
release possible. But tomorrow we will start kicking ourselves, saying
we have done something wrong,” Yefremov said.
Reports said earlier that the Ukrainian Ministry of Revenue and
Duties initiated litigation in the United States and Switzerland to
protect Ukraine’s interests in a case of the alleged misappropriation of
$200 million by a group of suspects, including former Ukrainian prime
ministers Tymoshenko and Pavlo Lazarenko.
The ministry asked the international law firm Lawrence Graham to
represent Ukraine’s interests in the upcoming hearings in several
countries, and to do all it can to protect Ukraine’s interests, the firm
said on its website.
