KIEV, Oct. 19 - Bohdan Danylyshyn, a former economy minister and the key ally of opposition leader Yulia Tymoshneko, on Tuesday was detained in the Czech Republic at the request of Ukrainian authorities.

The detention makes Danylyshyn the most senior official in the former Tymoshenko government who may be prosecuted in Ukraine seven months after the Tymoshenko government has been dismissed.

The authorities allege that Danylyshyn has been “abusing power” while on the post of the economy minister in the Tymoshenko government.

Tymoshenko denied the charges.