Ukraine: Jailed ex-PM ­accused of murder

Authorities have formally notified jailed former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko that she is a suspect in the murder of a businessman and politician in 1996.

The prosecutor-general’s office said on its website that Tymoshenko is suspected of “ordering and organising” the contract-style murder of Yvhen Scherban, his wife and two others. The move stops short of charging Tymoshenko, but indicates that charges are likely.

Tymoshenko denies the accusations and says it is part of a campaign by President Viktor Yanukovych to keep her in prison and bar her from politics. She is serving a seven-year term for abuse of office.

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