Speaking today, Foreign Office Minister for Europe, David Lidington, said:

We welcome the decision of President Yanukovych of Ukraine, in response to a recommendation from Ukraine’s Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, to pardon Yuri Lutsenko, Ukraine’s former Interior Minister, and Mr Lutsenko’s subsequent release from imprisonment.

The UK is a strong supporter of Ukraine’s European orientation. That means we also support action, in line with European values and practices, to strengthen Ukraine’s judicial and legislative institutions and enhance their capacity to inspire confidence and trust. And we support progress in addressing the issue of selective application of justice. In that context, Mr Lutsenko’s pardon and release are positive developments, and we look forward to further progress in this important area.

Further information

UK and Ukraine

See our policy on promoting human rights internationally