Trial of Yulia Tymoshenko, 2011

16 May 2011, Kyiv.

The video shows the previous court hearing in the case of Yulia Tymoshenko for exceeding her official powers during the conclusion of gas contracts in 2009. Tymoshenko's supporters and media representatives outside the Pechersky District Court, Yulia Tymoshenko's defence lawyer Serhiy Vlasenko gives comments to journalists, court hearing, Tymoshenko talks to journalists during a break, Judge Galina Suprun reads out the procedural decision.

Background: The 2011 trial against Yulia Tymoshenko concerned her alleged abuse of power during the conclusion of gas contracts with russia in 2009. Tymoshenko allegedly gave instructions to sign agreements which, according to the investigation, caused damage to the state. The case attracted widespread international attention: the seven-year prison sentence was seen as politically motivated, and the defence and international organisations called the trial unfair and biased.