Constitutional Court Dismisses Khodorkovsky Complaint

Russia’s Constitutional Court published its July decision denying consideration on the merits of a petition by former Yukos oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Jailed for tax fraud, Khodorkovsky challenged the constitutionality of statutes underlying new charges against him, arguing that if oil was sold for value, it cannot be considered “stolen.” The Court held that it lacks jurisdiction to rule on the law's application to Khodorkovsky's case. Justice Anatoly Kononov dissented, arguing that Khodorkovsky’s complaint “has all reasons to be considered on the merits.”

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