The heads of most Christian Churches in Ukraine, except the primate
of Ukrainian Orthodox Church, have asked the country's President Viktor
Yanukovych to pardon the former Prime Minister and head of the Ukrainian
political opposition, Yulia Tymoshenko.In October 2011 Ms Tymoshenko was sentenced to seven years in prison for abuse of power.
Her supporters claim the sentence was political revenge by President Yanukovych.
In a joint letter the leaders of the Ukrainian Greek Catholics, Roman Catholics, Baptists and the self-proclaimed Kievan Patriarchate of the Orthodox Church called for forgiveness, mercy and love for others.
"Pardoning Yulia Vladimirovna Tymoshenko and releasing her from prison would celebrate these godly virtues," they wrote.