Global General

Ukraine's Tymoshenko expelled from courtroom

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-07-06 21:29

KIEV, Ukraine - Former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko has been expelled from the courtroom in her abuse-of-office trial after calling the judge a "monster."

Courtroom proceedings in the trial that began last month have been marked by disorder and disruptions.

On Wednesday, Judge Rodion Kireyev ordered out a Tymoshenko supporter who had been disruptive. Tymoshenko then told Kireyev "You are not a judge, you are a monster" and police escorted her out of the courtroom.

Tymoshenko charges that the trial is a ploy by President Viktor Yanukovych to bar her from politics and has refused to respect the court and rise when addressing the judge.