The Czech Republic has granted political asylum to the husband of jailed Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.

A government spokesman in Prague confirmed Friday that Oleksandr Tymoshenko has been granted permission to remain in the country.

Yulia Tymoshenko is serving a seven-year prison sentence for abusing her power as Ukraine's prime minister in 2009. Her trial was criticized by the West as politically motivated.

Czech officials earlier Friday confirmed reports that the former prime minister's husband filed an application for asylum last month.

He is said to have business interests in the Czech Republic.

Seven months ago, the Czech Republic granted asylum to a former economics minister in Yulia Tymoshenko's administration.

Ukraine later expelled two Czech diplomats on suspicion of spying.