European Commission to boycott Euro 2012
- 12 years ago
The European Commission said on Monday that president Jose Manuel Barroso will not attend any events in Ukraine if the political situation in the country does not change.
Former opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko is serving a 7 year prison sentence for abuse of office, and is due to face a second trial on tax evasion charges.
The Commission believes that her imprisonment is politically motivated.
"We have very big concerns of what is happening in Ukraine. As far as the president is concerned, it is clear that as things stand now, the president has no intention of going to Ukraine or indeed participate in events in Ukraine at this point in time", EC's spokesperson said.
The EU announcement comes now that various European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, are considering boycotting the Euro 2012 football tournament that Ukraine is co-hosting in six weeks.
They want to protest against the alleged mistreatment of Tymoshenko as pictures of her bruised body were released on Friday. Tymoshenko, currently on a hunger strike, claims she was beaten up by the prison guards.
EU Justice Commissioner Vivianne Reding has already confirmed she will not participate in the Open Ceremony of the Euro 2012. "You cannot close your eyes on human rights", she said.
Former opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko is serving a 7 year prison sentence for abuse of office, and is due to face a second trial on tax evasion charges.
The Commission believes that her imprisonment is politically motivated.
"We have very big concerns of what is happening in Ukraine. As far as the president is concerned, it is clear that as things stand now, the president has no intention of going to Ukraine or indeed participate in events in Ukraine at this point in time", EC's spokesperson said.
The EU announcement comes now that various European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, are considering boycotting the Euro 2012 football tournament that Ukraine is co-hosting in six weeks.
They want to protest against the alleged mistreatment of Tymoshenko as pictures of her bruised body were released on Friday. Tymoshenko, currently on a hunger strike, claims she was beaten up by the prison guards.
EU Justice Commissioner Vivianne Reding has already confirmed she will not participate in the Open Ceremony of the Euro 2012. "You cannot close your eyes on human rights", she said.