A Georgia appeals court on Wednesday put on hold the criminal case accusing former US President Donald Trump of attempting to influence the 2020 election while the court considers his effort to disqualify lead prosecutor Fani Willis, a court order showed.

The order prevents the sweeping case against Mr. Trump and 14 co-defendants from moving toward trial while Mr. Trump appeals a judge’s decision allowing Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, to remain in the case.

It is another sign that the case, one of four facing Mr Trump as he tries to oust President Joe Biden and return to the White House, will not be tried before the November 5 election.

Mr Trump has decided to appeal a verdict that found him guilty last week by a New York jury of trying to bribe a porn star to keep him quiet. Two federal cases against him, involving an attempt to overturn his defeat and mishandling classified documents after he left office, are also stuck in legal challenges.

In the Georgia case, Mr. Trump and eight co-defendants are seeking to disqualify Willis from holding office, alleging that her romantic relationship with a former top deputy could create a conflict of interest.

Prosecutors have also indicated they will appeal an earlier decision that dropped some criminal counts from the indictment.

Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee, who is overseeing the case, had previously indicated he would consider some pre-trial legal issues during the appeal, but Wednesday’s order prevents him from taking any action.

The appeal is expected to take several months to be settled. Earlier this week, the court scheduled oral arguments for October.

Trump and 14 co-defendants have pleaded not guilty to fraud and other charges in what prosecutors allege was a scheme to overturn Trump’s narrow loss in Georgia in the 2020 election.