A couple weeks ago, a note was found on the door of the Moscow courthouse where Yukos founder Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s trial was taking place. The note said that the verdict would be postponed until May 16.
A reason for the verdict’s delay wasn’t given, but a news agency in Russia reported that a court official had said that the judge hadn’t finished writing the sentence.
Well, May 16 is here, and they are saying that Khodorkovsky has been found guilty of 6 of 11 charges so far, but the session has been adjourned until tomorrow. MOSNEWS of Russia reports:
Khodorkovsky, who is on trial with business associate Platon Lebedev, was convicted of theft with conspiracy, damage to property rights via fraud, malicious failure to obey a court order and personal tax evasion. Judges still had to announce their verdicts on one remaining charge.
A defense lawyer, Yuri Schmidt, told the Reuters news agency, it had been clear from the judges’ summing up that the 41-year-old tycoon, once Russia’s richest man, would be convicted. They repeatedly referred to Khodorkovsky and Lebedev as the leaders of an “organized criminal group”.
Khodorkovsky was detained nearly a year and a half ago as part of an investigation into Yukos. Many believe that Khodorkovsky is just the target of a Kremlin campaign to sabotage his political agenda.
The prosecution wants Khodorkovsky to be sentenced a maximum of 10 years. The defense is seeking to get him completely acquitted from any charges.
Chris is a staff writer for murdok. Visit murdok for the latest ebusiness news.
