The husband of jailed Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko has sought asylum in the Czech Republic.

Ms. Tymoshenko was sentenced to seven years in prison for abuse of power while serving as Ukraine's prime minister in 2009. The trial was criticized by the West as politically motivated.

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

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

The status of his application has not been made public.

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

In apparent retaliation, Ukraine expelled two Czech diplomats on suspicion of spying.