Tymoshenko Urges Ukraine to 'Oust Regime' in Jail Message

Jailed ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko on Saturday urged Ukrainians to oust President Viktor Yanukovych's government in legislative elections next month, in a video message recorded in detention.

Tymoshenko's lawyers recorded the wobbly hand-held video at the hospital in the eastern city of Kharkiv where she has for the last few months stayed for treatment on chronic back pains.

Looking feisty and energetic despite having spent over a year in detention, Tymoshenko directed the prepared message at the camera as security guards made half-hearted attempts to block the lens and halt the filming.

"I address everyone! If you do not understand that it is criminality and the mafia who are ruling Ukraine now then nothing will protect you afterwards," she said in the video which was posted by her party.

The ex-Orange Revolution leader urged Ukrainians "to rise up and overthrow this criminal government in the elections" on October 28. She also described her daily life as "hell", adding this was just what Yanukovych wanted.

In an apparent counter move, Ukraine's prison service responded by posting its own video of Tymoshenko that showed her arguing with a security guard in the hospital.

In the somewhat bizarre footage, Tymoshenko is shown repeatedly banging on a closed door demanding to see supporters who she says are waiting for her but the guard insists are not.

Tymoshenko yells at the guard in Ukrainian while he is shown is replying in Russian.

In the elections, Tymoshenko is leading a united opposition party which is the main challenger to the ruling Regions Party of Yaunkovych.

Added intrigue comes from competition from the UDAR (punch) party of the boxer Vitali Klitschko and the Ukraine Forward! party that includes Ukraine's recently-retired football star Andriy Shevchenko.

Tymoshenko is serving a seven-year jail sentence for abuse of power while in office, a verdict that was condemned by the West and led to a drastic worsening in relations with the European Union.

She is also being tried in a separate tax evasion case and has been linked by prosecutors to the 1996 murder of a deputy although she has yet to face any charges over that case.

Tymoshenko's message can be viewed on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Buc_DzQGNJU&feature=player_embedded.

The video of the prison service can be viewed on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fXqCCuuH3M&feature=plcp