Tymoshenko trials postponed

A Ukrainian court has postponed the trial of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko for health reasons.

The tax evasion trial will begin again in June during the Euro-2012 football championship, which Ukraine is co-hosting with Poland.

Some European nations have threatened to boycott the games, claiming Tymoshenko's incarceration and new embezzlement and tax evasion charges are politically motivated.

This is a sentiment her supporters outside the courthouse in Kharkiv share.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SVETLANA SECHOVA, FORMER LAWYER AND TYMOSHENKO SUPPORTER, SAYING:

"I don't expect anything from this court, because the result is obvious - what can you expect from this court if it is serving this regime? We do not expect anything anymore but we are here to let them know we do not agree with this, we are not slaves, we are people and our patience is running out and we won't stand it anymore."

Her lawyer says the decision to delay the trial is politically motivated and intended to soften EU criticism which they expect will harden after the ruling.

Tymoshenko is being treated for back problems in a clinic near the Kharkiv prison where she is currently serving a seven-year sentence for abusing power.

Jessica Gray, Reuters