| Russia's richest man
was led into the courthouse through a back entrance, out of view
of his supporters. A small group had gathered at the front of the
building. They held portraits of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and placards
calling for his freedom. Among the crowd were Mr Khodorkovsky's
parents, but together with the media they were barred
from the courtroom.
The former head of the oil giant Yukos
faces trial on seven counts,
including fraud, embezzlement
and tax evasion. If convicted,
he could face up to ten years in prison. This preliminary
hearing had been expected to set a date for the trial,
but it was adjourned until June
the 8th after the tax inspectorate had requested more time to
study the case. The businessman's supporters maintained the case
against him is politically motivated. They accuse the Kremlin
of trying to punish Mr Khodorkovsky for playing
politics.
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barred: If you bar someone, you stop them entering
faces: If you face something
difficult, you have to deal with it seven
counts: seven different criminal acts
fraud: getting money by lying
or cheating
embezzlement: Embezzlement is
stealing money from the place where you work
tax evasion: illegally avoiding
tax
convicted: shown to be guilty
at the end of the trial
preliminary hearing: the first
meeting of the court, to find out all the facts
adjourned: stopped temporarily
playing politics: getting involved
with politics
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