EU leaders snub Euro 2012 finals due to Ukraine's human rights row

Updated 0958 GMT (1758 HKT) May 2, 2012

Former Ukraine prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko is serving a seven-year jail sentence for abuse of office and faces another trial on tax evasion charges. The 51-year-old displays bruises she claims were inflicted by prison guards. Government officials deny the claims.

Photos: EU leaders snub Euro 2012 over Ukraine human rights row

Tymoshenko imprisoned – Former Ukraine prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko is serving a seven-year jail sentence for abuse of office and faces another trial on tax evasion charges. The 51-year-old displays bruises she claims were inflicted by prison guards. Government officials deny the claims.

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Tymoshenko's husband Oleksander and daughter Yevgenia hold a news conference to rally support. Yevgenia claims her mother's life is in danger since starting a hunger strike more than a week ago.

Photos: EU leaders snub Euro 2012 over Ukraine human rights row

Devastated family rallies – Tymoshenko's husband Oleksander and daughter Yevgenia hold a news conference to rally support. Yevgenia claims her mother's life is in danger since starting a hunger strike more than a week ago.

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A police guard stands outside Tymoshenko's cell at the Kachanivska prison in Kharkiv. Her supporters have called on president Victor Yanukovych to quit in the wake of allegations of abuse.

Photos: EU leaders snub Euro 2012 over Ukraine human rights row

The people's PM? – A police guard stands outside Tymoshenko's cell at the Kachanivska prison in Kharkiv. Her supporters have called on president Victor Yanukovych to quit in the wake of allegations of abuse.

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Thousands of supporters and opponents rallied outside Tymoshenko's latest court hearing in Kharkiv on April 28. The mixed turnout shows how divisive Tymoshenko still remains in Ukraine after a spell in government that began with hopes of pro-Western reforms and ended with allegations of corruption.

Photos: EU leaders snub Euro 2012 over Ukraine human rights row

A divisive figure – Thousands of supporters and opponents rallied outside Tymoshenko's latest court hearing in Kharkiv on April 28. The mixed turnout shows how divisive Tymoshenko still remains in Ukraine after a spell in government that began with hopes of pro-Western reforms and ended with allegations of corruption.

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Police experts examine one of the explosion sites in Dnipropetrovsk, where four bombs were let off in rubbish bins on Friday. At least 30 people were injured, raising serious concerns over safety at next month's European Championships.

Photos: EU leaders snub Euro 2012 over Ukraine human rights row

Bombs blast Ukraine – Police experts examine one of the explosion sites in Dnipropetrovsk, where four bombs were let off in rubbish bins on Friday. At least 30 people were injured, raising serious concerns over safety at next month's European Championships.

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Pressure is mounting on president Viktor Yankovych to clean up the country's human rights record. Following last week's bomb blasts, UEFA took the unprecedented step of raising political concerns with the host country.

Photos: EU leaders snub Euro 2012 over Ukraine human rights row

Under-fire Yanukovych – Pressure is mounting on president Viktor Yankovych to clean up the country's human rights record. Following last week's bomb blasts, UEFA took the unprecedented step of raising political concerns with the host country.

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Story highlights

EU Commission's president Jose Manuel Barroso snubs invitation to Euro 2012 final
He is latest EU leader refusing to travel to Ukraine over its treatment of imprisoned Yulia Tymoshenko
Ukraine suffering series of upsets including "crook" hoteliers, bombings and snubs
Govt assures UEFA it is taking all necessary steps to ensure safety of 1.3m visitors

Pressure is mounting on Ukraine to clean up its human rights record ahead of the Euro 2012 finals next month, with the EU Commission's president the latest high-profile leader to boycott the football championships.

Just weeks before the tournament kicks off, president Jose Manuel Barroso has rejected an invitation to attend the final in Kiev -- citing concerns over the treatment of imprisoned opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.

"The president has decided that for the time being and in the present circumstances he doesn't want to travel to or attend any events in Ukraine," his spokeswoman told CNN on Tuesday.

She confirmed this was due to concerns over the treatment of former prime minister Tymoshenko, and added: "The EU and president Barroso have sent strong signals of their serious concerns over what is happening in Ukraine."

Photos emerged on Friday of Tymoshenko covered in bruises which the 51-year-old claims that prison guards inflicted. Officials have denied the allegations.

Tymoshenko, a fierce rival of president Victor Yanukovych, is serving a seven-year jail sentence for abuse of office and faces another trial on tax evasion charges.

Porto's fine after its fans made monkey chants at Manchester City's Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure was less than the English club's punishment for being late on the field in another match.

Photos: UEFA's fight against racism

Proper punishment? – Porto's fine after its fans made monkey chants at Manchester City's Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure was less than the English club's punishment for being late on the field in another match.

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