KIEV, Nov. 17 – The panel of judges of the Higher Specialized Court of Ukraine for civil and criminal cases has closed criminal cases against former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's business associates - her father-in-law Hennadiy Tymoshenko, former chief accountant of the United Energy Systems of Ukraine (UESU) corporation Antonina Boliura, and other officials of the corporation - due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

The court announced this ruling on Thursday.

The Higher Specialized Court first upheld an appeal of the Prosecutor's General Office of Ukraine to invalidate the ruling of Shevchenkivsky District Court of Kiev on closing down criminal cases against Hennadiy Tymoshenko and Boliura due to the absence of crime in their actions.