KIEV, Jan. 11 - Stefan Fuele, the European Union’s enlargement commissioner, warned Ukraine’s leadership on Tuesday against using criminal law for allegedly politically motivated prosecution of opposition leaders.

Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who lost a bitter election campaign to President Viktor Yanukovych in February 2010, has been charged with abuse of office as prime minister in 2009.

“I would like to recall the need to ensure that criminal law is not used for political ends and the principles of a fair, impartial independent legal process are fully respected,” Fuele said at a press conference.

Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Hryshchenko, at the same press conference, said that the easiest way to avoid a problem with law enforcement bodies was to make sure “you do not break the law when you are in government, nor when you are out of it.”

Fuele’s comments came two weeks after the U.S. issued a sharp warning to Ukraine’s leadership, expressing concerns that a flurry of arrests and probes “selectively” targeting opposition politicians appeared to be “politically motivated.”

The December 30 US statement followed arrests that appear to target exclusively allies of Yulia Tymoshenko, the opposition leader.

Ukrainian prosecutors formally charged Tymoshenko late last year with misspending $300 million in state funds while serving as premier in 2009.

Tymoshenko denies wrongdoing and insists that the charges against her are intended to divert attention from corrupt dealings of Ukraine’s current leadership. Two Ukrainian human rights organizations came to her defense late last year, urging Yanukovych to end political persecution.

Opposition leaders accuse Yanukovych of monopolizing power, persecuting foes and reneging on democratic and media freedom gains made since the 2004 Orange Revolution. Opponents also accuse the Moscow-friendly Ukrainian president of bringing Kiev back into Russia’s fold.

But Yanukovych has repeatedly denied such allegations. His administration describes the investigations as legitimate attempts to combat corruption. Yanukovych also claims to be working hard to revive relations with Russia while keeping Kiev on a path towards EU membership and reforming Ukraine’s fragile economy.

Insiders said journalists gave Fuele evidence that the media have been muzzled under Yanukovych and that allegations of corruption involving presidential allies are not being investigated.

Referring to such allegations, Fuele said: “In the 21st century, democratic government cannot exist without an independent judicial system and media. This is a question of moral leadership.”

While meeting members of the foreign investment community in Ukraine, Fuele also heard complaints about rampant corruption and bureaucracy. During a press conference, he urged Ukraine to improve its investment climate. (rt/ft/ez)