Ukraine rejects criminal code changes

KIEV, Ukraine, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- The Ukrainian government rejected proposed amendments that would keep former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko out of jail if she is convicted, a report said.

Tymoshenko is accused of abusing the authority of her office by signing a 2009 Russian gas contract that cost Ukraine millions of dollars.

Tymoshenko's supporters say the charges are politically motivated.

The proposed amendments, which deputies in Ukraine's parliament refused to include in the agenda for discussion, would have removed the penalty of jail time for abuse of office, RIA Novosti reported Wednesday.