Yushchenko sued for gas contracts with Russia

KYIV, June 25 /UKRINFORM/. Law firm Lions Litigate is initiating a check on the legality of activities of the third president of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, concerning the conclusion of contracts for the supply and transit of gas between Naftogaz of Ukraine and Gazprom in 2008.

A relevant suit was submitted to the Supreme Administrative Court by the company's director, Stanislav Batrin, RBC-Ukraine reported.

He, in particular, is asking to recognize illegal Yushchenko's actions concerning publication of binding for Naftogaz of Ukraine directives including terms on the conclusion and content of contracts for the supply and transit of gas; recalling Naftogaz of Ukraine board chairman Oleh Dubyna and banning the signing of a contract for the supply of gas at a price of $235 per 1,000 cubic meters agreed by Ukraine and Russia as of December 30-31, 2008 at the intergovernmental level.

"We also consider illegal Yushchenko's assumption of the Cabinet of Ministers' competences and his managerial influence on Naftogaz of Ukraine (abuse of power, taking into account Article 19 of the Constitution) in the conclusion of contracts for the supply and transit of gas and the issue of binding directives for the company Naftogaz of Ukraine," the statement says.

The plaintiff also demands recognizing illegal and cancelling presidential decree 165/2008 of February 26, 2008, which approves the president's mandatory directives.