Russia ‘Released Shepeliev in Exchange for Evidence against Tymoshenko’

Ex-Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc lawmaker Oleksandr Shepeliev agreed to cooperate with an investigation in Russia against a number of Ukrainian politicians in exchange for his release from jail, Ukrayinski Novyny cites an informed source. One of these high-profile politicians is Yulia Tymoshenko.

Another source told the agency that some 10 days ago Russia refused to extradite Shepeliev to Ukraine, explaining that it would ‘violate national interests’.

The case against the former MP was opened in 2012. He was accused of the embezzlement of ₴220 million ($8.8 million) of Rodovid Bank when Yulia Tymoshenko was Prime Minister, and of the organization of embezzlement of ₴315 million ($12.6 million) of refinancing provided by the National Bank of Ukraine in March-May 2009.

Source: Ukrayinska Pravda