A judge in Ukraine has ordered that former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko be taken into custody during her trial on charges of abuse of office.
Ms Tymoshenko was escorted from the courtroom in handcuffs, prompting her supporters to shout ''Shame!'' and scuffle with police.
The BBC reports the judge has accused Ms Tymoshenko of repeated violations of court rules, including impeding proceedings.
Ms Tymoshenko says the charges against her are politically motivated.
She is accused of illegally agreeing a 10-year contract to buy natural gas from Russia. Investigators say this meant Ukraine was forced to buy gas at prices that were ruinous for its economy.
Court proceedings have been adjourned until Monday.
Mrs Tymoshenko was one of the central figures in the Orange Revolution of 2004.
She was prime minister briefly in 2005, and then again from 2007 to 2010. However, she was defeated by Viktor Yanukovych in last year's presidential election.
