Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich has acted to clear the way for arch-foe Yulia Tymoshenko to be tried on embezzlement and tax evasion charges from her hospital bed by signing legislation allowing a court to use video-link.
The bill would ensure the presence of someone physically unable to attend their trial by setting up a video conference linking the subject to the hearing, his press service said.
Presidential aides said the new video procedure could be used only if the accused was in agreement.
Ms Tymoshenko was sentenced to seven years in prison last October on a charge of abuse of office during her time as prime minister – a trial the European Union condemned as politically motivated.
She has been moved from prison in the eastern city of Kharkiv to a state-run local hospital because of back trouble and her inability to attend a new trial has so far prevented it from going ahead.
After Ms Tymoshenko, through her lawyer, refused to take part in the trial by video link, the Kharkiv judge on July 31st ordered another postponement until August 14th. – (Reuters)