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In Ukraine one of the most high-profile criminal cases has come to a close. Former Interior Minister Yuri Lutsenko was found guilty of abuse of power and was sentenced to four years in prison.

Former Interior Minister Yuri Lutsenko was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment and deprived of the right to hold public office for 3 years.

In a controversial trial, the Kiev Pechersk District Court convicted Lutsenko of abuse of office and embezzlement.

Lutsenko was found guilty of giving illegal bonuses and perks to his driver at the state's expense and misuse of budget funds, including spending out on celebrating the police force's professional day.

The Former Minister was ordered to pay a compensation fee of 116,000 U.S. dollars (£73,000; 86,000 euros).

Lutsenko, who is also a leader of the opposition, claims he's innocent and says the verdict is politically motivated.

[Yuri Lutsenko, Former Interior Minister]:
"It is clear that the court did not take into account the entire course of an eight-month investigation. The court was ordered to read a policy decision of the Presidential Administration; removing me as a politician from the country's political circle."

Written statements against Lutsenko were presented at court, but no witnesses attended the hearing.

[Lilia Grigorovich, MP]:
"If you take the witnesses as an example, I think, about 98% of them had refused to testify. Why? It is unbelievable."

The Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly urged Ukraine to free Lutsenko.

EU Commissioner of Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Stefan Fule, says the court's verdict shows that the judiciary practice in Ukraine does not correspond to international standards.

Political analyst Igor Zhdanov says Lutsenko`s conviction has complicated Ukraine's relations with the West.