KIEV, February 27 - RAPSI. The Pechora District Court in Kiev has found former Ukrainian Interior Minister Yuri Lutsenko guilty of abuse of power and sentenced him to four years in prison, RIA Novosti reported on Monday.

He was arrested in late 2010.

Lutsenko was accused of employing his personal driver at the ministry and providing him with an apartment and a pension. He is also blamed for overspending on Police Day celebrations. Investigators estimate the damages inflicted by Lutsenko on the state at 1 million gryvnias ($125,000) while serving as minister.

Lutsenko says the case is politically driven. The authorities deny these claims.