MOSCOW, 25 JUL – Mikhail Khodorkovsky has taken a step forward in its battle against the Russian authorities: his appeal will be considered. The former Yukos tycoon was jailed in 2003 and should stay in prison until 2016 for fraud, although according to its supporters it is just a political ploy for his opposition to Vladimir Putin. The appeal in question of their December 2010 judgment had been tried by Khodorkovsky and his former associate Platon Lebedev , the second sentence imposed against the two, but had been refused by a court of Moscow. Vyacheslav Lebedev, Supreme Court judge has overturned that decision, forced to consider the case.
Khodorkovsky’s lawyers, however, continue to remain cautious, explaining that it may be only a formality and not a real process that could lead to his release”Up until now all courts and judges in this case have issued only shameful and illegal decisions made by others.We have no illusions. We will see what comes.”