Gongadze

Prosecutors said they had authenticated secret recordings, allegedly made in Mr. Kuchma's office by one of his bodyguards, Mykola Melnychenko, that appeared to capture the then-president speaking with other top officials about Mr. Gongadze.

Kiev Court Ends Case Against Ex-Leader James Marson 2011

Associated Press Slain journalist Heorhiy Gongadze, in a file photo taken in August 2000.

Kiev Court Ends Case Against Ex-Leader James Marson 2011

The killing of Mr. Gongadze, who founded a news website that reported on government corruption, was widely viewed as a symbol of the lawlessness and impunity under Mr. Kuchma's rule from 1994 to 2005.

Kiev Court Ends Case Against Ex-Leader James Marson 2011

Critics denounced the decision as a continuation of an 11-year cover-up of high-level officials' involvement in the murder of Georgiy Gongadze, one of Mr. Kuchma's most vocal critics.

Kiev Court Ends Case Against Ex-Leader James Marson 2011

In one widely circulated audio file, a voice that Mr. Melnychenko and others familiar with the tapes allege is Mr. Kuchma's pesters then-police chief Yuri Kravchenko to get rid of Mr. Gongadze.

Kiev Court Ends Case Against Ex-Leader James Marson 2011

The prosecutors have said they have authenticated the portion of the tapes that pertained to the Gongadze murder.

Ukraine Reopens Audio-Tape Probe James Marson 2011

Prosecutors appointed by Mr. Yanukovych surprised many in Ukraine in March when they charged Mr. Kuchma with actions they say led to the murder of muckraking journalist Georgy Gongadze.

Ukraine Reopens Audio-Tape Probe James Marson 2011

In one widely circulated audio file, a voice that Mr. Melnychenko and others familiar with the tapes allege is Mr. Kuchma's pesters then-police chief Yuri Kravchenko to get rid of Mr. Gongadze.

Ukraine Reopens Audio-Tape Probe James Marson 2011

In extracts first leaked to journalists by an opposition politician in November 2000, Mr. Kuchma allegedly discussed with top officials how to silence Mr. Gongadze, a harsh critic of his rule who founded a news website that published investigations into government corruption.

Ukraine Reopens Audio-Tape Probe James Marson 2011

"It's the latest refusal to investigate the Gongadze case, which damages the prospects of establishing the person who ordered the murder," said Valentyna Telychenko, a lawyer for Mr. Gongadze's widow.

Kiev Court Ends Case Against Ex-Leader James Marson 2011