PLENARY MEETING OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE OF THE SIXTH CONVOCATION WAS HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1
In the beginning of the morning plenary meeting, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, briefed on the results of work of The Verkhovna Rada at the plenary meetings on May 31, 2011.
Renat Kuzmin, First Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine delivered report of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine on the criminal cases against Ex-Prime Minister of Ukraine Yu. Tymoshenko.
As the First Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine started delivering his report, BYuT-Batkivshchyna Faction left the session hall.
R. Kuzmin announced that 12 criminal cases have been instituted against Yu. Tymoshenko, Ex-Prime Minister of Ukraine.
R. Kuzimun informed on the recent cases on unauthorized use of funds, received by Ukraine according to the Kyoto Protocol, on purchase of ambulance cars, and on gas contracts. Investigation of the first two cases was completed in April 2011. Yu. Tymoshenko together with her defense lawyers are studying the materials of the case. The latest case on gas contracts was completed on May 24. Yu. Tymoshenko with her defense lawyers are currently studying the case materials. After the accused and her defense studies the cases, they will be directed for the court proceedings.
R. Kuzmin stated that the Prosecutor's Office is working under alert conditions.
According to R. Kuzmin, investigative forces of the Prosecutor's General Office fulfill their duties effectively and on professional and legal basis. R. Kuzmin responded to the inquiries of the People's Deputies of Ukraine concerning observance of the requirements of the effective legislation on the part of the General Prosecutor´s Office.
The First Prosecutor General answered the questions of the People's Deputies regarding declarations of Yu. Tymoshenko, Ex-Prime Minister of Ukraine, about using Kyoto Protocol funds for payment of pensions. He declared, "Yu. Tymoshenko has not used the funds received by Ukraine according to the Kyoto Protocol for pension payments exclusively. It is not true. At the moment when Kyoto Protocol funds have been used, there were enough funds in the State Budget of Ukraine to pay the pensions, which has been proved by investigation: the government had a possibility to pay pensions without using Kyoto Protocol funds. According to the Law, these funds shall be used exclusively for environmental purposes. Even if they had been used for some other social or other purposes, it is illegal and calls for criminal liability. However, it is a misstatement that Kyoto protocol funds have not been used for pension payments. Yu. Tymoshenko declared that in some of her interviews."
Roman Zabzaliuk, People's Deputy of Ukraine, read out the declaration of BYuT-Batkivshchyna faction.
The Faction accused representatives of the parliamentary majority of "arranging favourable conditions for political repressions and fighting against the opposition."
Faction insisted that the repressions against opposition leaders, Yu. Tymoshenko in particular, should be ceased. They also demanded that the Law "On Judicial System and Status of Judges" and the Law "On Restriction of Terms for Familiarization of Accused and Defense with Materials of the Case" should be rejected.
The People's Deputies started to scrutinize the ratification issues.
The bill on ratification of the Second Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters was presented by Valeria Lutkovska, Government Commissioner for the European Court of Human Rights.
Stepan Kurpil, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on European Integration, reported on the committee's decision to recommend the Verkhovna Rada to adopt the bill in entirety.
The People's Deputies upheld the decision of the Specialized Committee by 390 votes.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine ratified the Consular Convention between Ukraine and the Syrian Arab Republic and the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the State of Israel on Mutual Promotion and Mutual Protection of Investments.
Adam Martyniuk, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, adjourned the morning sitting.
The next plenary meeting of the eighth session shall be held on Thursday, June 2.