Tymoshenko Trial Adjourned Until Late September

A Yulia Tymoshenko supporter at a rally at a tent camp outside the court in Kyiv on September 5

The judge presiding over the trial of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on charges of abuse of power has adjourned the trial until September 27.

Judge Rodion Kireyev's decision comes as the trial entered its final stage, with a verdict expected possibly as soon as this week.

Tymoshenko is accused of abusing her power by signing a natural gas import deal in 2009 with Russia that prosecutors say was disadvantageous to Ukraine.

The opposition leader was arrested in August for contempt of court in the trial which she says is politically motivated.

Kireyev said he was adjourning the trial after Tymoshenko earlier complained she did not have enough time to prepare her defense.

Tymoshenko said the two-week break in court sessions showed the criminal case against her had "fallen to pieces."

compiled from local and international agency reports