The Supreme Court of Ukraine has agreed to hear the appeal of Viktor Yanukovich in his dispute of the results of the December 26 runoff election. Yanukovich's opponent, Viktor Yushchenko was declared the winner of the runoff by more than eight percentage points.

'On Monday Jan. 17 at 11 a.m., the hearing will begin into the civil case filed by Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovich into the actions, omissions and decisions of the Ukrainian Central Election Commission,' said a statement issued by the court.

Yanukovich was declared the winner of the original election in November despite the fact that all exit polls showed Yushchenko well ahead. Yanukovich was accused of fixing the results of the election. After a series of protests in the capital city of Kiev and international pressure, a new runoff election was held.

The results are not official in Ukraine until the Supreme Court rules that they are and orders them published in an official newspaper. Thus far, they have not done so pending these final legal maneuvers.

Yanukovich acknowledges he has no real chance of winning his appeal. In fact, Yushchenko has accused him of 'torturing the nation' by his refusal to accept his defeat.

'We are witnessing a genuine show organized by remnants of Yanukovich's team. This show is costing Ukraine dearly,' said an aid to Yushchenko on his website.

A final decision is expected sometime next week. Under the law in Ukraine, the court has up to five days to reach a decision in the matter.