A Ukrainian court delayed hearings today into former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko's appeal against last year's abuse-of-office conviction, a verdict seen by many Western govvernments as politically motivated.
The European Union has condemned the former Soviet republic's ruling and Ms Tymoshenko's seven-year prison sentence, urging her release and shelving landmark association and free trade deals with Ukraine over the issue.
European leaders are also mulling a political boycott of the European football championship which Ukraine will host in June and July together with Poland.
The delay means the hearings will resume during the Euro 2012 soccer tournament and less than a week before the July 1st final in Kiev.
Ukraine's Specialised Supreme Court on civil and criminal cases was due to begin hearings into Ms Tymoshenko's appeal today.
But state prosecutors asked the court to give them more time so they can study additional information on the case and because of the absence of Ms Tymoshenko, who was this week moved from prison into a hospital to be treated for chronic back pain.
"The prosecution's motion is granted," judge Stanislav Mishchenko said, adjourning the trial until June 26th.
Originally seen as a way of promoting Ukraine's ambition of joining the European mainstream, the tournament risks becoming an embarrassment to the Kiev government due to Western outrage over the Tymoshenko case.
Ms Tymoshenko (51) was a leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution which derailed Mr Yanukovich's first bid for presidency. She has since served twice as prime minister before losing the February 2010 election to Mr Yanukovich.
Last October, Ms Tymoshenko was found guilty of abusing her powers as prime minister in forcing through a 2009 gas deal with Russia which, according to Mr Yanukovich's government, has saddled Ukraine with exorbitant prices for vital energy supplies.
She denied the charges and said she was the victim of a vendetta by Mr Yanukovich who has refused to intervene in her case before all appeal venues are exhausted.
Reuters