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08/06/2012
Ministers Will Boycott England Games In Ukraine
In protest at Ukraine’s human rights record UK government ministers will boycott England's group games in the European football championships.
The UK is particularly concerned at the "selective justice" meted out to jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.
In response Ukraine's ambassador to the UK said "sport and politics do not mix" and concerns must be raised in other ways.
Ms Tymoshenko played a key role in the Orange Revolution in 2004 and says her imprisonment, for alleged corruption, is an act of political revenge by Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych.
The authorities have rejected Ms Tymoshenko's allegations. She was jailed for seven years in October, for abuse of power during her time as prime minister.
Asked about the boycott, Foreign Secretary William Hague said Ukraine had "serious problems" and the UK government did not want its backing for the England team to be interpreted as "giving political support to some things which have been happening in Ukraine which we don't agree with".
Other EU nations have also threatened a boycott of the tournament being jointly hosted with Poland.
(H)
The UK is particularly concerned at the "selective justice" meted out to jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.
In response Ukraine's ambassador to the UK said "sport and politics do not mix" and concerns must be raised in other ways.
Ms Tymoshenko played a key role in the Orange Revolution in 2004 and says her imprisonment, for alleged corruption, is an act of political revenge by Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych.
The authorities have rejected Ms Tymoshenko's allegations. She was jailed for seven years in October, for abuse of power during her time as prime minister.
Asked about the boycott, Foreign Secretary William Hague said Ukraine had "serious problems" and the UK government did not want its backing for the England team to be interpreted as "giving political support to some things which have been happening in Ukraine which we don't agree with".
Other EU nations have also threatened a boycott of the tournament being jointly hosted with Poland.
(H)
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