Prison service still unaware whether Tymoshenko planning to attend UESU case trial on March 5

Jailed former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has still not informed the prison service whether she is planning to participate in a court hearing scheduled for March 5 on a criminal case on the activities of the United Energy Systems of Ukraine (UESU) Corporation, according to Head of the Kachanivska Penal Colony Ihor Kolpaschykov.

"We will try to receive a clear answer today," he told journalists outside Central Clinical Hospital No. 5 on Monday.

He said that the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine would not use force against Tymoshenko in order to take her to the courtroom.

"We will not use physical force. We will not take any measures until the procedure is carried out according to the legislation," Kolpaschykov said.

He also told the journalists that all necessary conditions have been created at the hospital, where Tymoshenko is undergoing treatment, for her participation in the hearings, which are to take place in Kharkiv and Kyiv, via a video linkup. A special room is located a distance of 10 meters from the ex-premier's ward. According to Kolpaschykov, Tymoshenko may stay at the room alone or with her defense lawyer.

As reported, another hearing of the UESU case is scheduled for 1000 on March 5.