Ukraine PM quizzed over poisoning

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Ukraine's prime minister is being questioned as a witness by prosecutors investigating the unsolved poisoning of President Viktor Yushchenko in 2004.

The suspected dioxin poisoning - in the run-up to the presidential election - made Mr Yushchenko seriously ill, and left his face disfigured.

PM Yulia Tymoshenko said it was a shame his health had become politicised.

She hinted her summons was political manoeuvring before the 2010 elections, when she may run for the presidency.

Political turmoil

Once allies in the so-called "Orange Revolution" in 2004, the prime minister and president are now at odds despite sharing pro-Western political goals.

The coalition government, in which Mr Yushchenko and Ms Tymoshenko were partners, collapsed earlier this month.

Viktor Yushchenko has threatened to dissolve parliament and call snap elections.

At the time of his poisoning, Mr Yushchenko was in an election race against Viktor Yanukovych, who was backed by the then Russian President, Vladimir Putin.

Mr Yushchenko has suggested the poisoning may have been orchestrated by Russia. Moscow has denied any involvement.