Oleksandr Tymoshenko: decision to leave Ukraine was made by our family collectively

Оleksandr Tymoshenko, husband of imprisoned former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, says the decision to leave Ukraine and ask the Czech government for political asylum was a joint family decision, according to the Official web site of Yulia Tymoshenko.

"We discussed it and made the decision together," Oleksandr Tymoshenko said in an interview on channel TVi.

Oleksandr Tymoshenko said he submitted his request for political asylum in November 2011 while in the Czech Republic. "After consideration by the Czech Ministry of Internal Affairs, I was informed that I was getting international protection," he said.

"I have friends and business partners in the Czech Republic. I am one of the co-founders of a Czech company," he added.