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Widely viewed as robber barons, oligarchs reviled in Russia |
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by Glen Livet AKA DAN "My Obsessions Are a Dead Giveaway" Disinfo
(No verified email address) |
10 Jun 2004
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After more than seven months behind bars, Russia's most despised thief, Jewish oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky , briefly appeared in a Moscow court last week for the first of two important hearings in a case that threatens to bring down the business empire he acquired, reports Mara D. Bellaby for the Associated Press: |
“Before Khodorkovsky's lawyers could introduce a series of court challenges, however, tax inspectors asked for more time to study the case and Judge Irina Kolesnikova postponed the trial...” The trial was scheduled to start again today.
For an overview on the great wealth garnered after the fall of the Soviet Union by Russia’s so-called oligarchs, most of whom are Jewish.
The oligarchs are widely despised in Russia. According to AP, Khodorkovsky's supporters have tried to rally public opinion behind the Jewish oligarch, but at previous court appearances, only an embarrassing small number of people — all from Khodorkovsky-funded groups — have shown up.
Associated Press: “The Court session began a process that could ultimately end with Khodorkovsky serving more than 10 years in prison and the transfer of his oil company, Yukos, to state control. Khodorkovsky has been charged with fraud and tax evasion.
“Russia's Tax Ministry won a key court decision Wednesday that requires Yukos, one of Russia's largest oil producers, to pay $3.4 billion in back taxes and fines. The company warned that the claim could force it into bankruptcy this year, which could pave the way for the state to seize its assets. Yukos had been expected to try to quash the claim Friday.” |
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