Yanukovich fights losing battle

THE Ukrainian supreme court yesterday rejected motions from lawyers of defeated presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovich as it started hearing his appeal to annul the results of last month’s election.

After a day of arguments, the court adjourned, leaving open the question of when Western-leaning reformer Viktor Yushchenko might be inaugurated. He was declared the winner of the St Stephen’s Day election with 51.99% against Mr Yanukovich’s 44.2%, but cannot be inaugurated until the supreme court in Kiev resolves the appeal.

The December election was a rerun of a November poll, in which Mr Yanukovich was declared the winner. That vote was annulled by the high court after allegations of fraud.