Merkel to boycott Euro 2012 unless Tymoshenko released?

photo - PAP/EPA/Ukpravda

The report of a Berlin government boycott, reported in German media, comes as photographs are published which appear to support Tymoshenko's claim that she has been beaten by prison guards.

The 52 year-old former Pm and one of the leaders of the Orange Revolution went on hunger strike ten days ago after she said that she had been punched in the stomach and man-handled as guards forcefully removed her from her prison cell to take her hospital for treatment for back pain.

A statement by Tymoshenko's political party, Motherland, has said that the condition of her health has "deteriorated significantly".

"Delaying treatment of Yulia Tymoshenko would mean that the regime [of President Viktor Yanukovich is continuing with its plan for physical assassination."

Tymoshenko is currently serving seven years imprisonment for abusing her powers as prime minister in 2008 when making an energy deal with Russia.

The German government's press officer has refused to confirm reports in Der Spiegel magazine that Chancellor Merkel and ministers will stay away from Euro 2012 games in Ukraine of Tymoshenko is not released.

But environment minister Norbert Roettgen has told the Bild tabloid that German officials should stay away from games, the image of which is being damaged by her imprisonment.

Euro 2012 begins on 8 June. (pg)