Ukraine dangles Tymoshenko 'option' if EU deal ratified

(BRUSSELS) - Ukraine could amend a law to allow hunger striker and former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko to be treated in another country if Brussels closes outstanding talks on a political and trade deal, the deputy prime minister said Wednesday.

Valery Khoroshkovsky told journalists: "if this is the only issue remaining and all other issues we have now left with the EU were already settled... [lawmakers] would be in a position to take a kind of extraordinary decision."

"It's one of the options."

Ukraine asked Germany to send a team of doctors to treat Tymoshenko after refusing a request for her to be taken into German care.

Tymoshenko went on hunger strike to protest her alleged beating in jail -- the latest chapter in a saga that has pitted her against President Viktor Yanukovych for the past two years.

The fiery former Orange Revolution leader -- sentenced in October to seven years for abusing power while premier -- accused "three strong men" of throwing a sheet over her and punching her in the stomach before taking her to a state hospital.

Ukrainian prosecutors denied the charges and accused Tymoshenko of staging a political provocation designed to further damage the current leadership's relations with the European Union.

A deal between the EU and Ukraine was initialled in March, but still needs ratified and Tymoshenko's detention is a stumbling block.

The European Commission expressed its concern on Tuesday over Tymoshenko.