Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev accuse the investigation

On Wednesday the Ingodinsky district court in Chita continued its hearing of the joint complaint by Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev against the action (inaction) of the investigators.

Lebedev and Khodorkovsky stated in court that the investigation were not accepting defence evidence on the new criminal case. Lebedev reminded the court that the defence has the right to gather evidence and he considered that the actions of the investigators in refusing to accept their materials was unlawful.

“In support of their position, both defence and investigation cite Article 86 of the RF Criminal Procedural Code (gathering evidence),” Lebedev explained. He quoted the contents of the Article and drew the court’s attention to the permission it contains to gather evidence.

Quoting examples of infringements, Platon Lebedev noted that he had been denied an additional cross-examination during the preliminary inquiry.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev also declared in court that the accusations against them were not clear and that the investigators had refused to clarify certain points in the accusation.

“From the charges I can’t tell what was stolen. They mention oil, oil products and money. I realise that the investigation is leaving itself room for manoeuvre but that is unlawful,” noted Khodorkovsky.

“From their charges I cannot understand what I am accused of,” added Lebedev.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky also asserts that Yukos property was not stolen and drew the judge’s attention to the refusal of the investigators to cross-examine the man who succeeded him as general director of Yukos.

The Ingodinsky district court announced a recess until 24 October.

(Interfax, 22.10.2008)