Ukraine's high court has rejected former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's appeal against her conviction on charges of abuse of office.

A judge said Wednesday the court could not approve the appeal. Ms. Tymoshenko is serving a seven-year sentence.

Some supporters of Ms. Tymoshenko in the courtroom yelled “shame!” upon hearing the verdict.

The European Union was also critical of the court's ruling.

Ms. Tymoshenko was a co-leader of the 2004 pro-democracy Orange Revolution. She says the charges against her are part of a political vendetta against her by President Viktor Yanukovych, who narrowly defeated her in a 2010 vote.

The charges against Ms. Tymoshenko are linked to a natural gas deal she brokered with Russia in 2009 while serving as prime minister. She faces separate charges of embezzlement and tax evasion.

A trial in that case is expected to resume on September 11.