PRAGUE - The Czech Republic on Friday granted asylum to the husband of Ukraine's jailed opposition leader and former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Czech Interior Minister Jan Kubice said. Oleksandr Tymoshenko, a 51-year-old businessman, fled to the Czech Republic because the authorities were using him to put pressure on his wife, the ex-premier's political party said.. "Mr Tymoshenko filed a request for political asylum with the interior ministry several months ago... and the request was granted today," Kubice told reporters. Oleksandr sought political asylum in connection with the growing pressure.