Case over alleged poisoning of Yushchenko may be closed

KIEV, May 28 (Itar-Tass) -- The criminal case over the suspected
poisoning in 2004 of Ukraine's presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko
may be closed, Prosecutor-General Viktor Pshonka said in a late television
broadcast on Friday.
"The biggest problem is Yushchenko is reluctant to cooperate with the
investigation. For more than six months," Pshonka said.
"Several investigation procedures are necessary requiring his personal
involvement, including a blood test. If there are no proofs of poisoning,
then at this stage the criminal case may be closed," he said, when asked
about the outlook for further investigation, if the now former president
refuses to cooperate.
About the investigation of the 2000 murder of oppositional journalist
Georgy Gongadze Pshonka said that the killers had been punished already.
The case against the mastermind, Alexei Pukach "is ready for consideration
in court."
"A decision has been made to consider the suspected involvement of the
former president, Leonid Kuchma, as a separate case," he said.
"There is evidence the crime was committed and there is a bill of
indictment. The court will make a final decision," Pshonka said about the
Kuchma case.