Rihanna ordered to testify against Chris Brown

Singer Rihanna will appear at the June 22 hearing of her former partner Chris Brown, her lawyer has confirmed.

The hearing relates to Brown's alleged assault of Rihanna in February and will be held at the Los Angeles Superior Court.

Rihanna's lawyer Donald Etra said: "Rihanna was served at my office by Los Angeles District Attorney investigators. If the preliminary hearing indeed goes forward, she is now legally required to be there, she will be there and will answer all questions truthfully."

The upcoming hearing is taking place to find out whether there is enough evidence to take Brown - who has pleaded not guilty to felony assault and making criminal threats - to trial.

Rihanna, 21, will be cross-examined by Brown's lawyer Mark Geragos.

Defence lawyer Jeffery Rubenstein, who is not working on the case, explained: "Rihanna's testimony can make or break the case".

"Her willingness to testify and be truthful about what happened is a step closer to convicting Chris. On the other hand, if prosecutors fail to present a case, Geragos can seek to dismiss or reduce the charges on the spot."

Meanwhile, a move by Geragos to get the hearing postponed has been denied.

Geragos had argued Brown - who is accused of punching, biting and choking Rihanna until she was unconscious in his rented silver Lamborghini - would not be able to get a fair trial due to the pictures allegedly showing Rihanna's facial injuries which were leaked to a US gossip website.

Taken from the New Zealand Herald