Ukraine president says jailed ex-PM might stay in prison

(KIEV) - Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said Wednesday that jailed ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko might stay in prison even though the EU has tied her release to strengthening relations with the country.

"I have no right to interfere with matters which, according to the constitution, are not within my jurisdiction," Tymoshenko said at a news conference.

On Monday, EU president Herman Van Rompuy told Ukraine that a deal taking Kiev closer to membership of the bloc depended on "political circumstances," citing the jailing of Tymoshenko.

Tymoshenko was sentenced to seven years on October 11 for abuse of authority for agreeing gas contracts with Russia in 2009, a verdict the EU said was politically motivated.

Yanukovych, her long-term rival, has denied any involvement in the case.