Khodorkovsky verdict delayed until May 16
By: Administrative Account | Source: UPI
April 27, 2005 6:21AM EST
MOSCOW, April 27 (UPI) -- The verdict in the trial of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former chief of Russian oil firm Yukos, has been postponed until May 16, the BBC reported Wednesday.
The judge had been expected to give her verdict Wednesday, but a notice put up in the Moscow court announced that her judgment was being delayed.
Khodorkovsky, 41, has been accused of multiple charges of fraud and tax evasion and could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty.
Until his arrest he was considered one of the most powerful of the Russian business oligarchs. As of 2004, he was the wealthiest man in Russia and the 16th wealthiest man in the world.
He has always protested his innocence, and most analysts say he is being punished by the Kremlin for his political ambition. Before his arrest in October 2003, he had begun to fund opposition political parties.
Analysts are divided on whether Khodorkovsky will be found guilty. Some found hints in President Vladimir Putin's state of the nation speech Monday that Moscow might release him.
Other analysts are convinced that Khodorkovsky will say behind bars at least until after the presidential elections in 2008.
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