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epa04096627 Anti-government protesters hold a portrait of Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko while she speaks to a crowd at a rally in Kiev Ukraine, 22 February 2014. Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on 22 February appeared on the stage of Kiev's Independence Square, or Maidan, hours after being released from prison. Tymoshenko, who was in a wheelchair, first praised the protesters and those who were killed during last week's unrest. 'The heroes never die' she said with a tearful voice. The Square was packed with tens of thousands of people. The former Ukrainian Prime Minister, who was sentenced to seven years in jail for abuse of office in 2011, earlier said she will stand for president in May, the Itar-Tass news agency reported. The Ukrainian parliament on 22 February set early presidential elections for 25 May 2014. EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV