Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych is quoted as saying he believes jailed ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko "participated" in the murder of lawmaker Yevhen Shcherban.
The wealthy Shcherban was gunned down in Donetsk in November 1996, in a case Ukrainian prosecutors linked to a struggle over the control of energy resources.
Yanukovych told the U.S.-based Bloomberg news service in an interview: "Various criminal cases were carried out with Tymoshenko's participation."
Yanukovych continued: "Including Shcherban's murder. There were motives."
No further details were given by the president.
Ukrainian prosecutors earlier announced that they are investigating Tymoshenko in connection with Shcherban's murder.
Tymoshenko denies any wrongdoing.
Her current seven-year jail sentence, for abuse of power when she was premier, has been condemned by the European Union and United States as politically motivated.
The wealthy Shcherban was gunned down in Donetsk in November 1996, in a case Ukrainian prosecutors linked to a struggle over the control of energy resources.
Yanukovych told the U.S.-based Bloomberg news service in an interview: "Various criminal cases were carried out with Tymoshenko's participation."
Yanukovych continued: "Including Shcherban's murder. There were motives."
No further details were given by the president.
Ukrainian prosecutors earlier announced that they are investigating Tymoshenko in connection with Shcherban's murder.
Tymoshenko denies any wrongdoing.
Her current seven-year jail sentence, for abuse of power when she was premier, has been condemned by the European Union and United States as politically motivated.
