Russia 

Khodorkovsky, Lebedev deny all charges in Moscow trial

13:5221/04/2009
MOSCOW, April 21 (RIA Novosti) - Yukos founder Mikhail Khodorkovsky and his business partner Platon Lebedev denied all the charges against them in a trial in Moscow on Tuesday.

"No, I do not admit my guilt," Khodorkovsky said.

Lebedev made a similar statement, saying, "I have never stolen anything in my life."

He labeled the new charges brought against him as "schizophrenic fraud."

"I declare that the state prosecution committed a crime by putting forward such forged accusations," Lebedev said.

The two men, who have been serving eight-year sentences for fraud and tax evasion since 2006, were transferred from a Siberian prison to a Moscow detention center to answer the fresh embezzlement and money laundering charges.

The new charges deal with the theft of government shares and the laundering of money earned from illegal oil sales, in total worth about $50 billion. If convicted, the two could see their jail terms extended by 21 years.

Lawyers acting for the businessmen have called their clients political prisoners, and say the new charges are "disgraceful" and unsubstantiated.




  • add to blog
  • send by e-mail

You may place this material on your blog by copying the link.

Publication code:

Preview:

RIA Novosti
Khodorkovsky, Lebedev deny all charges in Moscow trial

13:52 21/04/2009 Yukos founder Mikhail Khodorkovsky and his business partner Platon Lebedev denied all the charges against them in a trial in Moscow on Tuesday. >>

All fields are required!


Digg Digg   Reddit Reddit    Stumbleupon   Delicious Delicious    Facebook

You may place this material on your blog by copying the link.

Publication code:

Preview: