Updated

Germany is urging Ukraine to provide jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko with appropriate medical treatment for health problems exacerbated by her hunger strike protesting alleged violence at the hands of prison officials.

Tymoshenko went on a hunger strike on Friday, saying she was punched in the stomach and had her arms and legs twisted by prison guards. Prison authorities deny that.

German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Wednesday that Germany is extremely worried by the beating allegations and the hunger strike and calls on Ukraine to give Tymoshenko appropriate medical care. The German government is offering to treat Tymoshenko in Germany or have German doctors treat her in Ukraine.

The West has condemned Tymoshenko's seven-year prison term as politically motivated.