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Kiev court turns down Timoshenko's recusal request

"A panel of judges has ascertained that there are no reasons to meet the petition," the court said

KIEV, December 20 (Itar-Tass) — A panel of judges at Kiev's appeals court on Tuesday turned down the request by former Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko to recuse presiding judge Yelena Sitailo. It was the third recusal request the court refused to meet.

"A panel of judges has ascertained that there are no reasons to meet the petition," the court said.

Earlier, Timoshenko's lawyer Sergei Vlasenko said judge Sitailo must step aside for announcing the diagnosis of the former premier. It was confidential information, so the judge showed her bias, Vlasenko said.

Sitailo said the ex-premier had refused to attend the Tuesday review of her own accord.

The judge confirmed that earlier, Timoshenko had written a statement asking the court to take her to the court to attend the review.

She flatly refused to go on foot and insisted on being taken to the court on a gurney.

Reports said hecklers were shouting "shame" as the judge was reading Timoshenko's diagnosis, preventing the journalists from hearing it properly.

In October, the former prime minister was sentenced to seven years in prison for exceeding her authority when signing gas contracts with Russia.

Timoshenko did not participate in preliminary sessions of the court because of poor health.