The trial of Ukraine's former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko was adjourned for two days after the opposition leader hired a new lawyer.
Tymoshenko faces up to 10 years' prison if found guilty on abuse of power charges stemming from a deal she signed in 2009 to buy natural gas from Russia at prices investigators say were too high.
Tymoshenko denies any wrongdoing and says the case is politically motivated and orchestrated by President Viktor Yanukovych.
In keeping with her combative style, Tymoshenko lectured the judge, Rodion Kireyev, on criminal law and refused to stand up while addressing him.
Having brought in a new lawyer, she asked the court to give him one month to study the case but was granted time only until July 6.
Tymoshenko, one of the leaders of Ukraine's Orange Revolution in 2004, narrowly lost to Yanukovych in the presidential election last year.
