Klitschko leads 15000 in rally for Ukraine’s jailed ex-PM
The demonstrators chanted “Freedom for Yulia” and waved the flags of the three main parties opposed to Tymoshenko’s rival, President Viktor Yanukovych.
The event was held after the European Court of Human Rights ruled in April that Tymoshenko’s August 2011 detention was unlawful.
Clashes broke out in the capital with pro-government activists who had gathered near the rally. Several people were injured, including a Ukrainian television journalist, police said.
Klitschko issued a statement denouncing “agitators” and accused the police of letting the confrontation happen.
Tymoshenko was convicted in October 2011 for abuse of power while prime minister and jailed for seven years. Her supporters and many Western states view the charges against her as political.
Klitschko, whose UDAR (Punch) party has joined Tymoshenko’s opposition group in parliament, said Ukraine’s hopes of one day joining the European Union would remain a dream until the day Tymoshenko was released.
“How can this happen if we still have political prisoners?” he demanded at the demonstration.
“That is why I say: freedom for Yulia.”