Trial Updates

Prosecutor Dmitry Shokhin began today's proceedings by reading documents from 22 separate volumes of case evidence.

Following the traditional afternoon recess, Platon Lebedev issued a statement criticizing the veracity of the allegations made by Chief Investigator Salavat Karimov suggesting that Platon Lebedev worked at YUKOS-Moskva from 1998 until his arrest. Mr. Lebedev referenced documents in Volumes 7 and 9 of the case evidence as clarification of this point. One document from April, 1997, reveals that the defendant stopped working for Rosprom and began working for YUKSI, while a separate document from October, 1999, states that Mr. Lebedev stepped down as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of YUKOS-Moskva in September, 1999, of his own volition.

Platon Lebedev also brought to the attention of the court information that documents his income from various sources, including Bank MENATEP. He explained that this income was largely earned from dividend payments, not his salary. Mr. Lebedev's only relationship with Bank MENATEP was as a stockholder.

Prosecutor Dmitry Shokhin announced that the prosecution had completed its questioning of witnesses and rested its case following Mr. Lebedev's remarks. Mr. Shokhin stated that enough evidence had been presented since the beginning of the proceedings to undeniably prove the defendants' guilt. The audacity of the prosecutor was never more clearly evident than when he expressed his hope that the defense would not exercise their right to present evidence in support of the defendants or their right to question witnesses, suggesting the court should move to closing arguments instead.

The Tax Ministry official representing the civil plaintiff supported the prosecutor's move to closing arguments.

Not surprisingly, defense lawyer Genrikh Padva announced the defense would, in fact, exercise its right to present evidence in support of its case. Mr. Padva asked the court to announce a recess until Wednesday, November 10, in order to provide the defense with the necessary time to organize and prepare its case. In justifying his request, the defense lawyer noted the need to locate and contact witnesses who do not live in Moscow, adding that the defense does not command the same administrative resources as the Prosecutor General's Office. Furthermore, the defense would need time to issue requests for documents to be presented to the court and prepare a number of motions. "[We hope] this request is convincing and forceful since there are only three working days during the period of time in question," noted Mr. Padva.

Defense lawyers for Andrei Krainov in turn announced they would be prepared to begin the presentation of evidence this Thursday, November 4. The lawyers added that they have little additional evidence to present since, in their opinion, the prosecution had presented enough evidence in support of their client.

Prosecutor Dmitry Shokhin did not oppose the defense's request for additional time to prepare its case, although he did suggest the amount of time requested was rather excessive.

Judge Irina Kolesnikova announced that the court was in adjournment until Wednesday, November 9, in an apparent effort to compromise between the two opposing parties' requests.

(From Mikhail Khodorkovsky's official site, 2.11.2004)