Tymoshenko to remain in jail

Tymoshenko delivered to court, Monday; photo EPA/Sergey Dolzhenko

The court ordered the detention of Tymoshenko, who is under investigation for abuse of power while in office, for contempt of court after describing the current administration in Kiev as being "corrupt" and mocking the judge in charge of the case against her on Twitter.

Tymoshenko could face up to 10 years in jail if found guilty of abuse of power during her tern of office, whuch ended in March last year.

Supporters chanted “Hands of Tymoshenko” as the vehicle pulled into the court building, Monday morning and the former PM shouted “Glory to Ukraine” as the proceedings began.

"Prison is prison but I am not going to complain. This is a test, but it is also the mission of my life, to help Ukraine become a true European state,” Tymoshenko told supporters.

Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine Jose Manuel Pinto Teixeira arrived at the Pechersky District Court of Kiev as an observer after EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and EU enlargement commissioner Stefan Fule criticized the 50 year-old’s arrest. (pg)