KIEV, December 14 - RAPSI. A Kiev appeals court has dismissed an application filed by former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to change the measure of restraint for her to a non-custodial measure.

"The court decided to hold against the petition," presiding Judge Yelena Sitailo said.

Sitailo said the defense failed to produce any sufficient arguments in favor of a non-custodial measure for Tymoshenko.

A Kiev district court sentenced Tymoshenko on October 11 to seven years in prison for abuse of power in signing gas contracts between Ukraine's Naftogaz and Russia's Gazprom in 2009. The judge declared that Tymoshenko abused her power as prime minister and issued directives regarding gas contract negotiations in Moscow, which were poorly documented and lacked the government's consent.

Tymoshenko has been prohibited from taking public office for three years. Furthermore, the court ordered her to compensate Naftogaz 1.516 billion hryvnias (roughly $189.5 million) in losses.

Lawyers believe that Tymoshenko's case will not end for at least a month.