Yanukovych: Tymoshenko's pardon impossible as long as her trials are underway

Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's pardon is impossible as long as her trials are under way, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych told journalists in Mykolaiv on Thursday.

"I have repeatedly answered this question [on the possibility of Tymoshenko's pardon], and this is a legal matter. Until the judicial proceedings in which Tymoshenko is involved are concluded, it is impossible to consider pardoning her," he said, Interfax – Ukraine reported.

Yanukovych stressed that two trials of the ex-Premier are still underway.

"The sooner they are completed, the sooner there will be an opportunity to consider this pardon issue. So my powers will be in effect after this process is completed," he said.