Tymoshenko to face charges in murder case

KIEV - The Associated Press

A supporter of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko sits in a protest tent camp in central Kiev June 15, 2012. REUTERS photo

A top Ukrainian prosecutor says imprisoned former premier Yulia Tymoshenko will be charged in connection with murder, defying strong pressure to end the prosecution of the country's top opposition leader.

Deputy Prosecutor General Renat Kuzmin said in an interview with the Kommersant newspaper published Monday that there is enough evidence to charge Tymoshenko in connection with the murder of a businessman and politician 16 years ago. Kuzmin would not specify what the charge would be.

Kuzmin's statement further raises pressure on Tymoshenko, who is serving a seven-year sentence on abuse-of-office charges and is the subject of slew of other criminal investigations. Prosecutors had previously said that Tymoshenko was treated as a witness in the murder case.

European officials are boycotting European Championship matches hosted in Ukraine this month over Tymoshenko.