EU regrets Tymoshenko court decision

Supporters of Yulia Tymoshenko hold a mock burial for justice outside the court that rejected an appeal by the former Ukrainian prime minister.

Tymoshenko had appealed her conviction for abuse of office for which she is serving a seven year prison sentence.

While prosecutors welcomed the ruling saying the 51-year-old's guilt was fully proven, supporters of the opposition leader insist the prosecution was politically motivated.

Tymoshenko's daughter said this sets a dangerous precedent for justice in the country.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) DAUGHTER OF FORMER UKRAINIAN PRIME MINISTER YULIA TYMOSHENKO, YEVGENIA TYMOSHENKO:

"Today with this decision we can come to the conclusion that nobody in Ukraine can expect a lawful and fair decision, and everything will be controlled by the dictator Yanukovich."

The European Union was critical of the verdict and its potential ramifications.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) SPOKESPERSON FOR EY FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF CATHERINE ASHTON, MICHAEL MANN:

"We are deeply disappointed by the consequences of the current situation as two important leaders of the opposition are prevented from standing for parliamentary elections following trials, which did not respect international standards as regards fair, transparent and independent legal processes."

Despite months of chiding by the EU and the US, President Viktor Yanukovich refused to act to secure Tymoshenko's release.

The opposition figure was one of the architects of the 2004 October Revolution that denied Yanukovich of his first bid for the presidency.