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Moscow trial of ex-Yukos manager Moscow trial of ex-Yukos manager
(about 5 hours later)
A former vice president of Russia's disbanded oil giant Yukos is due to go on trial on charges of embezzlement. A former vice president of Russia's disbanded oil giant Yukos has gone on trial on charges of embezzlement.
Vasily Aleksanyan, aged 36, has been in detention since his arrest in 2006. He rejects the charges.Vasily Aleksanyan, aged 36, has been in detention since his arrest in 2006. He rejects the charges.
Last week, a Moscow court ruled that Mr Akeksanyan, who is reported to have Aids and cancer, could not be transferred to a clinic for treatment.Last week, a Moscow court ruled that Mr Akeksanyan, who is reported to have Aids and cancer, could not be transferred to a clinic for treatment.
The jailed Yukos founder, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, is on hunger strike in support of his deputy.The jailed Yukos founder, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, is on hunger strike in support of his deputy.
Mr Khodorkovsky is serving eight years in a Siberian prison after being convicted of fraud and tax evasion. He says officials are punishing Mr Aleksanyan for refusing to sign false confessions.Mr Khodorkovsky is serving eight years in a Siberian prison after being convicted of fraud and tax evasion. He says officials are punishing Mr Aleksanyan for refusing to sign false confessions.
Independent examination pleaIndependent examination plea
Prosecutors in Moscow are expected to charge Mr Aleksanyan with embezzlement and money laundering dating back to the late 1990s. Prosecutors in Moscow have charged Mr Aleksanyan with embezzlement and money laundering dating back to the late 1990s.
Mr Khodorkovsky says his case is politically motivatedMr Khodorkovsky says his case is politically motivated
Mr Aleksanyan - who describes his trial as "a profanation of justice" - is expected to enter a not guilty plea.Mr Aleksanyan - who describes his trial as "a profanation of justice" - is expected to enter a not guilty plea.
His lawyers say he has developed serious health complications and is nearly blind.His lawyers say he has developed serious health complications and is nearly blind.
But last Friday the court rejected Mr Aleksanyan's demand to be transferred to a clinic as groundless.But last Friday the court rejected Mr Aleksanyan's demand to be transferred to a clinic as groundless.
Russia's human rights ombudsman Vladimir Lukin has called for an independent medical examination of Mr Aleksanyan.Russia's human rights ombudsman Vladimir Lukin has called for an independent medical examination of Mr Aleksanyan.
'Impossible choice''Impossible choice'
In a letter posted on his supporters' website last week, Mr Khodorkovsky said Mr Aleksanyan had been refused medication and deliberately placed in poor conditions.In a letter posted on his supporters' website last week, Mr Khodorkovsky said Mr Aleksanyan had been refused medication and deliberately placed in poor conditions.
Mr Khodorkovsky, who was once Russia's richest man, said he had no choice but to "abandon the legal framework" and start a hunger strike.Mr Khodorkovsky, who was once Russia's richest man, said he had no choice but to "abandon the legal framework" and start a hunger strike.
"I am facing an impossible moral choice: admit to crimes I haven't committed and save the life of a man, but destroy the fate of innocents who will be charged as my accomplices," he said."I am facing an impossible moral choice: admit to crimes I haven't committed and save the life of a man, but destroy the fate of innocents who will be charged as my accomplices," he said.
Mr Khodorkovsky's supporters have always said that his arrest was punishment for his support of pro-Western opposition political parties.Mr Khodorkovsky's supporters have always said that his arrest was punishment for his support of pro-Western opposition political parties.
His international lawyer Robert Amsterdam said Russia was "flouting not only international law but the norms of morality".His international lawyer Robert Amsterdam said Russia was "flouting not only international law but the norms of morality".
Yukos sagaYukos saga
Yukos, once Russia's biggest oil company, was declared bankrupt in 2006 and ceased to exist as a legal entity in November 2007.Yukos, once Russia's biggest oil company, was declared bankrupt in 2006 and ceased to exist as a legal entity in November 2007.
The company had been steadily dismantled after being accused of massive fraud and tax evasion by the Russian authorities.The company had been steadily dismantled after being accused of massive fraud and tax evasion by the Russian authorities.
Yukos maintained it was the victim of a concerted political campaign by the government, which wanted to discredit its executives and gain control of vital energy assets.Yukos maintained it was the victim of a concerted political campaign by the government, which wanted to discredit its executives and gain control of vital energy assets.
Russian officials deny the allegation.Russian officials deny the allegation.