Khodorkovsky warns Russia
By Kevin O'Flynn

MOSCOW
- In an impassioned speech, jailed oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky told a packed Moscow courtroom that Russia's fate depends on the verdict in his trial.

In his final statement before an expected verdict on December 15, Khodorkovsky said he was prepared to die in prison rather than admit that he was guilty.

"I am not an idealist, but I have ideals," he said. "For me, as for anybody, it is hard to live in jail, and I do not want to die there.


But if I have to, I will not hesitate. The things I believe in are worth dying for. I think I have proven this.”

Khodorkovsky, who is now 47 years old, was Russia's richest man and chief executive officer of the Yukos oil company when he was arrested in 2003 on charges of tax evasion. His arrest and eight-year sentence were widely seen as retribution for politically challenging then-president Vladimir Putin.

With just one year remaining on his sentence, Khodorkovsky now faces fresh charges of money laundering and embezzlement that could keep him in prison for an additional six years, until 2017. His business partner Platon Lebedev faces the same charges.

'Seven years is a long time'
Khodorkovsky entered the courtroom smiling and nodding to the dozens of cameras snapping his picture. Three armed guards led him and fellow defendant Lebedev to the glass cage where they sit during court proceedings.

Khodorkosvky claims that his current trial is a politically motivated case designed to keep him in prison as the term of his first sentence winds down. He began his statement by recalling his arrest in October 2003.

[link to www.atimes.com]