Plots alleged to assassinate PM Yulia Tymoshenko

Ukraine is checking reported murder attempt on PM:

ockKIEV, July 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said late Thursday it was checking reports from several Ukrainian embassies about an alleged attempt to murder Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

"The SBU is checking these reports and necessary measures are being taken," SBU spokeswoman Marina Ostapenko said in a statement without elaborating.

Kiev's private NTN TV cited Ukrainian diplomatic sources in Sweden as saying that "criminals and business circles" were plotting to kill Tymoshenko.

Mobsters allied with Ukrainian oligarchs whose interests are threatened by Tymoshenko's vigorous anti-corruption campaign were the suspected potential assailants, according to the NTN.

Tymoshenko, ally of President Viktor Yushchenko, was appointed prime minister in early February and won overwhelming parliamentary support.

During her six-month term as premier, Tymoshenko has spearheaded a government fight against corruption and smuggling. She has also initiated a review of privatization deals made in "dubious circumstances" under the previous authorities.

The investigation came only days after President Yushchenkou cancelled a trip to Georgia because of worries of a possible terrorist attack against him there, according to local media reports.