Lawyer: no hope for revision of sentence to Khodorkovsky

MOSCOW, May 31 (RIA Novosti) - The Yukos ex-head's defense attorney Genrikh Padva sees no hopes for the review of Mikhail Khodorkovsky's verdict. He told journalists however that the defense would appeal against the Meshchansky court's judgment in a required order. "We have no chance but are determined to go to the end," said Padva. On behalf of all lawyers he voiced his disagreement with all the parts of the verdict, saying it had nothing to do with real justice.

The defense of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev will file cassation appeals within ten days.

"We shall appeal against this judgment as illegal and unsubstantiated. The arguments and proof of the defense were ignored when returning a verdict, Yelena Liptser, representing the interests of Lebedev, told RIA Novosti.

For her part, the lawyer Karina Moskalenko who represented the interests of Khodorkovsky said the defense was prepared for a consistent and rigorous appeal against the sentence in the Supreme Court. "As a conspiracy is also possible there, we will go to the European Court," said Moskalenko.

She referred to the sentence as a political crackdown on an independent and obstinate businessman and a likely political opponent.

The Meshchansky court has sentenced the former Yukos head to nine years in prison. The Menatep ex-boss was treated likewise while former Volna director-general Andrei Krainov was given a five-year suspended sentence.