Crime, Society, Russia

15.12.2010 11:52
Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev. Photo from website news.peoples.ru

Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev. Photo from website news.peoples.ru

Court puts off sentencing Khodorkovsky and Lebedev

The Khamovnichesky court in Moscow has postponed the sentencing in the second case of the company CEOs of YUKOS and MENATEP, Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev. The sentencing has been postponed until December 27 as the notice on the court door says.
 
Earlier, the sentencing was scheduled for Wednesday, December 15. Journalists and other audience got together at the Khamovnichesky court in the early morning. However, they found an announcement on the door of the building running that the trial will begin on December 27 at 10 a.m.
 
The reasons for the postponement are not specified. It is known that the defense of the accused was not informed about the adjournment. According to Khodorkovsky's lawyer Yelena Liptser, judge Danilkin could postpone the sentencing just because he did not have time to finish writing the sentence. She could not think of any other reason why it should be rescheduled.
 
As previously reported, Mikhail Khodorkovsky and the former head of the MFO MENATEP Platon Lebedev, who are accused of tax evasion and fraud, were arrested in late 2003. Two years later, they were sentenced to 9 years imprisonment, a term later reduced by one year.
 
In 2007, they were indicted on a new criminal case, the court hearing on which began in spring 2009. Lebedev and Khodorkovsky were accused of stealing more than 200 million tons of oil and legalization of illegally earned money, and of the theft of 38% of stake in Eastern Oil Company, which is worth 3 billion rubles. In October 2010, the prosecution requested 14 years imprisonment for the defendants. Both Lebedev and Khodorkovsky pleaded not guilty in all their criminal cases. Their defense continues to insist on acquittal.
 
Video on the topic:

Khodorkovsky and Lebedev teach prosecutors to litigate

See also

04.10.2011 10:55 Former Yukos vice president Vasily Alexanian dies in Moscow

31.05.2011 17:56 Strasbourg court fines Russia for Khodorkovsky case

15.04.2011 17:14 Latest extension of Khodorkovsky and Lebedev’s arrest cancelled

31.12.2010 11:06 Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev sentenced to 14 years in prison

01.11.2010 17:53 Public prosecution considers Khodorkovsky and his lawyers' evidence a lie



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