Ukraine's former Interior Minister Yuri Lutsenko looks out from the defendant's cage during a court session in Kiev, February 27, 2012 A Ukrainian court has sentenced former Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko to four years in prison after finding him guilty of embezzlement and abuse of office.
The ruling Monday said Lutsenko gave illegal bonuses and perks to his driver at the expense of the state.
Lutsenko, a close ally of jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, has denied the charges.
Ms. Tymoshenko is serving a seven-year prison sentence after being convicted of abuse of office in December 2011.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP.