MOSCOW -- Former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov is ready to testify at the embezzlement trial of former oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
Kasyanov, who was prime minister from 2000 to 2004, leads the unregistered opposition Russian Popular Democratic Union party (RNDS).
RNDS press secretary Yelena Dikun told RFE/RL that Kasyanov is ready to testify at the trial of Khodorkovsky and his associate, Platon Lebedev.
Kasyanov insists the charges against the two are politically motivated.
Khodorkovsky and Lebedev are charged with stealing oil and money laundering.
In 2005, they were convicted of financial mismanagement and each sentenced to eight years in prison.