European leaders reluctant to boycott Euro 2012, says Terzi
Merkel reportedly considering boycott over Tymoshenko
30 April, 15:26
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is reportedly considering boycotting matches in Ukraine, after images appeared in the media last week showing bruises on the former prime minister's body that she said were the result of abuse by prison guards.
"There is hesitation about using the weapon of a boycott of a sporting event because the precedents are very serious," Terzi told Rai television.
The most high-profile past sporting boycotts came when the United States stopped its athletes taking part in the 1980 Olympics in Moscow in protest at the Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan and the USSR staged a tit-for-tat boycott of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Ukraine foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Voloshin said on Monday that he hoped Germany would not revive "Cold War" methods and make "sport a hostage of politics".
Terzi said Italy and the rest of the European Union have responded quickly to worries about Tymoshenko, who is suffering ill health and is on hunger strike.
"I immediately moved with my European colleagues, who have assumed clear positions," Terzi said.
"There is great concern. It is unthinkable and unacceptable that a person suffering so clearly can be subject to mistreatment and intimidation. There is a climate of great fear".
Tymoshenko, 52, a former leader of Ukraine's Orange Revolution, is serving a seven-year prison sentence on charges that she abused her powers in a Russian energy deal.
She also faces another trial on tax evasion charges.
The European Union, the United States and several international bodies have said her conviction is politically motivated.
"Football will help (make people) talk about the case of Yulia Tymoshenko," Abete said.
"That's the way it always is. When there are big sporting events, the spotlight is also shone on the social issues of the countries that host them".
Monday, 30 April 2012
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(ANSA) - Rome, April 30 - European leaders are reluctant to boycott the part of the Euro 2012 soccer championships that will take place in Ukraine because of alleged mistreatment of the jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi said on Monday.
"When individual rights and democratic principles are violated, sport cannot turn the other way," Sports Minister Piero Gnudi told ANSA.
Giancarlo Abete, the president of the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC), said the sport would not ignore the situation.
Euro 2012 takes place in Ukraine and Poland from June 8 to July 1.
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