Khodorkovsky Trial

MOSCOW (Reuters) -- The fraud and tax evasion trial of Russian oil billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky, seen by many as politically motivated, should end early next year, one of his lawyers said Thursday.

Genrikh Padva said he expected witness testimony to end in November or December. The prosecution and defense would then begin debates, during which prosecutors are set to disclose what sentence they are seeking for the magnate, he said.

"I don't think it [the trial] will be over before January. I believe it may well happen in February next year," Padva told reporters. Khodorkovsky faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Khodorkovsky pleaded not guilty in July and predicted he would soon be stripped of his firm.

(From The Moscow Times, 25.10.2004)