KIEV, September 30 - RAPSI. The Kiev court finished hearing the arguments and gave the last word to former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko who is a defendant in the "gas" case, RIA Novosti reported on Friday.

Meanwhile, Judge Kireyev suddenly said the Kiev court will pass a sentence behind closed doors. Only the parties to the case and journalists will be allowed to attend. The judge said he decided on the closed session after the individuals in the courtroom repeatedly violated the order and interfered with the trial.

Tymoshenko's defense and her fellow deputies protested the court decision, calling it illegal.

The Prosecutor General's Office charged Tymoshenko with abuse of power in connection with her approval of a Russian gas contract in 2009 when she was a prime minister. She was arrested on August 5.

The state prosecutor demanded seven years in prison for Tymoshenko on Tuesday.