Lawmakers and police clashed on Friday in court during hearings into the case of Ukrainian ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko.
Fighting took place when Andriy Shkyl, a member of Tymoshenko's Batkivshyna political party, refused to leave the courtroom. The judge demanded that he leave after taking a picture on his mobile phone when a ban on photo and video recording in the courtroom was in place.
The lawmaker refused to leave. Tymoshenko accused the judge of acting beyond his powers and suggested he leave the room instead.
Shortly after, the judge announced a break and about two dozen police officers entered the courtroom. Other Batkivshyna lawmakers rushed to help Shkyl, who was being dragged outside, and traded blows with the officers.
Tymoshenko, 50, was arrested on August 5. She is accused of damaging Ukraine's national interests by signing "unfair" gas supply deals with Russia as prime minister in 2009 and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Tymoshenko has repeatedly denied all the charges brought against her, saying they are politically motivated.
