By Country / Russia
Prosecutors Say Khodorkovsky, Partner Stole $32 Billion In Oil
February 09, 2007
Khodorkovsky at a court hearing in 2005 (ITAR-TASS)
The accusation came as prosecutors revealed for the first time details of the new charges of embezzlement and money laundering they filed against both men this week.
A statement on the prosecutor-general's website said that the oil acquired illegally between 1998-2003 was then sold through firms registered in Russia and abroad. As a result, the statement said a total of $24.5 billion was allegedly laundered.
Khodorkovsky, the founder of the now bankrupt Yukos oil company, and Lebedev, the head of Yukos' financial arm, are already serving eight-year prison sentences for fraud and tax evasion.
Critics said the trial against Khodorkovsky was Kremlin-inspired punishment for his challenges to President Vladimir Putin.
(ITAR-TASS, Interfax, AP)