Release Tymoshenko, Sen. McCain says

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Kiev is selectively prosecuting its opponents in its case against former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, U.S. Sen. John McCain said with a European colleague.

McCain, R-Ariz., said, in a joint statement with Wilfried Martens, president of the European People's Party, that Kiev was sliding back toward a regime reminiscent of its leadership under the former Soviet Union.

Ukraine, they said, has worked long and hard to secure democratic principles within the government's foundations.

"Yet, today we are witnessing certain practices from the Ukrainian authorities that are reminiscent of pre-independence rule," they said in a joint statement. "The current trial of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and the judicial practices surrounding this trial, is increasingly seen as selective prosecution of members of the opposition in Ukraine."

Tymoshenko is charged with corruption in connection to a 2009 gas deal brokered with Russian gas company Gazprom. She's been jailed since early August and is apparently in poor health. Both leaders have called for her release.

Victoria Nuland, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, said Washington has "concerns" about the case, adding "we want to ensure that this is not a politically motivated set of circumstances."