Lawyer Serhiy Vlasenko believes the authorities refused to allow France’s Human Rights Ambassador Francois Zimeray to meet with Yulia Tymoshenko in prison because they want to continue to misinform the Ukrainian and European public about the ex-premier’s health and violation of her rights, according to the Official web site of Yulia Tymoshenko.

"This was an absolutely deliberate act to continue to misinform Ukrainian society and European society about what is happening with Yulia Tymoshenko behind the gates of the Kachanivska prison," Serhiy Vlasenko told journalists today in Kharkiv.

"Activities related to the investigation were specially organized so that the representative of a European state couldn’t meet with Yulia Tymoshenko, couldn’t see what condition she’s in, couldn’t directly state that her rights as a person and citizen are being violated," he said.

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"The authorities lied and deceived. This time they deceived the French human rights ambassador. They didn’t allow him to see Yulia Tymoshenko by claiming that the investigation was taking place. According to Yulia Tymoshenko, the investigative activities lasted exactly 15 minutes: they began at 12:45 and ended at 13:00," he said.

The ex-premier’s lawyer also said he informed the SBU investigator that he had to travel on business and asked that they not conduct their investigation on those days. "However, despite this, for two days they carried out the investigation without me," he said.