Khodorkovsky Supporters Detained In Moscow

MOSCOW -- Police in Moscow have detained two people whom they accused of taking part in an unsanctioned rally in support of former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky and his former Yukos business associate Platon Lebedev.

The two female opposition Solidarnost (Solidarity) activists were detained in front of Moscow's Khamovnichesky courthouse on April 8 after chanting the phrases "Freedom to political prisoners!" and "Freedom to Khodorkovsky and Lebedev!" and distributing leaflets, RFE/RL's Russian Service reported.

Another activist threw leaflets from the roof of a nearby building, calling Khodorkovsky's trial "a mockery of law and justice."

The prosecutor was expected to hand down indictments against Khodorkovsky and Lebedev later in the day.

Khodorkovsky and Lebedev have been in jail since 2005 on fraud and tax-evasion charges.

They are facing new charges of money laundering and theft of oil that Khodorkovsky and Lebedev say are politically motivated.