Yulia Tymoshenko, former Prime Minister of Ukraine, was subjected to a Stalin-like show trial in 2011. She was convicted for the absurd "crime" of exceeding her civil authority while serving in office. World leaders rightly condemned the indictment, trial, and conviction as unjust and a mockery of the rule of law.

Ms. Tymoshenko's mistreatment shows that the government's motivations stem from fear, insecurity, and political retribution. It was immoral to misuse the judiciary under an arcane law against an individual who tenaciously fights for democratic values in Ukraine.

This tragic situation reflects a dangerous rise in authoritarianism that threatens Ukraine's long-term democratic sovereignty. Overall, justice has been perverted in an effort to bully and neutralize the political opposition.

Fair-minded people throughout the world will never forget Ms. Tymoshenko, Ukraine's "Iron Lady." Persons who believe in justice will never stop fighting for her freedom.

If Ms. Tymoshenko dies in prison due to substandard medical care or a hunger strike to call attention to the erosion of liberty, freedom, and democracy in Ukraine, her martyrdom will be due solely to President Viktor Yanukovych's disdain for justice, fairness, and commitment to democratic values.

"There is no greater tyranny," the French thinker Montesquieu wrote, "than that which is perpetrated under the shield of law and in the name of justice."  Tyranny is settling over Ukraine. 

Yulia Tymoshenko must be freed.