President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Jean-Claude Mignon plans in the near future to visit Yulia Tymoshenko in the Kachanivska penal colony, according to the Official web site of Yulia Tymoshenko.
“I will prepare the request soon. The Ukrainian foreign minister, who I received in this very office several days ago, tried to reassure me about Yulia Tymoshenko’s health and the conditions in prison,” Jean-Claude Mignon said in an interview with Ukrayinska Pravda.
The PACE president added that he sees no reason why he can’t request to visit Yulia Tymoshenko. “I was explained that the prison where she is being held is three stars. If this prison is so comfortable, then I obviously can visit,” he said.
Jean-Claude Mignon also said he considers Yulia Tymoshenko to be a political prisoner. “If she’s not a political prisoner, then certainly something very similar. You should call things what they are. The desire to remove her from political life is obvious. This woman and other former members of her government ended up in prison under conditions that seem controversial. Yes, of course, the Parliamentary Assembly, after much thought and work in commissions, adopted a resolution that I fully support,” he said.
“My friendship with Yulia is sincere. I believe she is a very talented and remarkable person. I have a lot of friends in Ukraine, including representatives of the parliamentary majority. And I can’t stand on one side or the other. But there is a majority and a minority. The majority doesn’t have the right to imprison the minority. I believe smart people will always find a compromise. And I will gladly visit Ukraine,” he added.
