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9/10/12

Europe human rights body urges Ukraine to conduct free parliamentary vote - by Maria Danilova

Europe's top human rights watchdog urged Ukrainian authorities Monday to conduct a free and fair parliamentary election next month, but warned that the imprisonment of Ukraine's top opposition leader bodes ill for the country.

The Oct. 28 election has already been tainted by the jailing of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on abuse-of-office charges that the West condemns as politically motivated. Tymoshenko, who was sentenced to seven on charges of overstepping her authority when negotiating a 2009 gas deal with Russia, has accused President Viktor Yanukovych of throwing her
in jail to bar her from the vote.

Council of Europe Secretary-General Thorbjorn Jagland condemned her imprisonment, but said the election must still take place and be honest.

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