Khodorkovsky, Lebedev Call Civil Suits Against Them Extortion

The former head of the Yukos oil company Mikhail Khodorkovsky and former head of the Menatep group Platon Lebedev have called the civil suits against them “extortion”.

Speaking at the Meshchansky court on the lawsuits filed by tax authorities, Khodorkovsky said, “they know that the money has already been paid by bills, then they were paid by the decision of the Arbitration Court, and now they are demanding money for the third and fourth time. This is called extortion.”

Khodorkovsky pleaded not guilty to all the charges and said he rejected the claim from the tax authorities. As for the lawsuit filed by a tax inspector against him personally, he said “the law envisaged exactly what I paid,” RosBusinessConsulting news agency quoted reported.

Lebedev said all the charges against him are “falsified by the prosecution and tax officials”. He said he will file counterclaims against the Tax Ministry if he gets the chance.

Earlier, tax officials said in court that they want to increase the number of civil suits against Khodorkovsky and Lebedev due to fines that appeared while the defendants were in custody.

Khodorkovsky’s term of detention was recently extended till July 14.

HERE