Yevgeny Adamov, 67, has been in custody for almost a year after being arrested in Switzerland at the request of the United States and has been in a Russian prison for the past six and a half months after being extradited to face charges of embezzlement and abuse of office at the start of the year.
Presiding Judge of the Supreme Court Alexei Shurygin and two other judges heard arguments in the case and left for consultations Thursday but then adjourned until Friday. On Friday, the lineup of judges changed.
"We have every reason to believe that Shurygin, known as a man of principle, withdrew to avoid being involved in a crime," said Yevgeny Adamov's lawyer Genri Reznik.
"A judge can be replaced if he cannot fulfill his duties. We believe that Shurygin can preside in this trial," said another lawyer Timofei Gridnev, adding that the new judge had been appointed to make an unlawful decision.
The Supreme Court convened Friday to consider an appeal from Adamov's lawyers against his custody that had been extended by the Moscow City Court on May 23 until August 8.
Prosecutor Anatoly Bashmakov said all the arguments of the defense was mere guesswork.
"I request that the defense lawyers' arguments be rejected," Bashmakov said.
The court has now recessed for consultations.
Prosecutors said the former minister, who served from 1998 to 2001, was a leader of an organized criminal group whose members were on an international wanted list and that he should be remanded in custody to prevent him from influencing witnesses.
The U.S. accused Adamov of misappropriating $9 million given to Russia for nuclear safety projects. He would have faced 60 years in prison if convicted in the U.S.
