Court delays Tymoshenko hearing

KIEV, Ukraine, May 15 (UPI) -- A Ukrainian court delayed a hearing on former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's appeal of her prison sentence, officials said.

The Higher Specialized Court of Ukraine for Civil and Criminal Cases said it needs more time to study the case and postponed the hearing until June 26, near the end of the Euro 2012 soccer tournament that many European officials are boycotting to protest Ukraine's treatment of the former prime minister, Interfax-Ukraine reported Tuesday

Tymoshenko's prosecution for misuse of power while she was prime minister is seen by many Western nations as a political vendetta by President Victor Yanukovych.

Tymoshenko's defense team says it will file a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights.

"I am addressing Mr. Yanukovych, if you think that with today's decision you have blocked our road to the European Court, you are mistaken. We believe that today's court meeting is final and we are going to the European Court of Human Rights," attorney Serhiy Vlasenko told reporters on Tuesday.