Russian Tycoon Khodorkovsky's Trial Adjourned

The trial of Russia's richest man, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, on fraud and tax evasion charges was postponed to an unspecified date Wednesday, the day it opened in Moscow, defense lawyers said.

They said the court adjourned proceedings after hearing that one of the defense team, Genrikh Padva, was recovering after an operation, lawyer Yelena Lipster said.


"Today there was a motion to postpone the hearing because Padva had an operation yesterday, and that has been met. There will be a postponement," said defense lawyer Charles Krause.


Khodorkovsky, former chief executive of oil giant YUKOS, is on trial with business associate Platon Lebedev, another major shareholder in YUKOS.


The three judges were still meeting to consider a separate appeal by Khodorkovsky and Lebedev to be allowed home during the trial.


There was no word on when the trial would resume though Padva submitted documents justifying an absence until June 21.



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