ROUGH CUT - NOR REPORTER NARRATION<br/> <br />A Ukrainian high court on Wednesday rejected an appeal by former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko against her conviction for abuse of office for which she is serving a seven-year prison sentence.<br/> <br />Tymoshenko was convicted last year on charges that stemmed from a 2009 gas contract she signed with Russia while prime minister.<br/> <br />Tymoshenko's supporters gathered outside of the Kiev courthouse where the decision was read, chanting "Freedom to Yulia!" and "Down with the gang!"<br/> <br />In the lengthy decision, judges of the court said they reached the conclusion that the appeal "cannot be satisfied".<br/> <br />The European Union and the United States say Tymoshenko's prosecution was politically motivated by President Viktor Yanukovich's leadership and have called for her to be released.
