Ukraine former deputy PM bailed

The former deputy prime minister of Ukraine, Yulia Tymoshenko, has been released on bail while she awaits trial on charges of fraud, smuggling and tax evasion.

Mrs Tymoshenko was detained last month in connection with charges which relate to the time she was a director of a leading energy supplier United Energy Systems.

She is accused of funnelling more than a-billion dollars out of Ukraine. Mrs Tymoshenko, who was sacked by President Leonid Kuchma in January, denies the charges.

She claims the case against her is politically-motivated.

Mrs Tymoshenko has been one of the leaders of the opposition against Mr Kuchma.

Correspondents say she is widely viewed in Ukraine as someone who has been trying to clean up corruption in the country.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service