Khodorkovsky & Lebedev Communications Center

Platon Lebedev will start presenting his evidence on Monday, August 23.

Lebedev's lawyer Konstantin Rivkin said: "He [Lebedev] will give enough time to contest the claims which, he believes have been falsified. In many of these they say that he allegedly was present in this or that place, or was involved with other people. He will be contesting all this and will explain his activities in detail. He will also speak about the occasions in which the investigators and the prosecutors who supported them, were deceptive." Rivkin added that his client's evidence will include lots of visual material.

When asked whether Lebedev will be giving evidence for two weeks in a row or whether there will also be some witness testimony, Rivkin replied: "Because of the summer holidays now, not everyone is available; we hope that if a witness comes to the hearing, the court will allow questioning him. Lebedev will either have a day off or speak in the morning, with witness speaking in the afternoon."

Lebedev's evidence was said to be the last in the evidence given by the defense team. Rivkin noted: "Originally we agreed that Platon Lebedev's presentation will be some kind of a mark. I should note, though, that both parties have a right to petition about the so-called additional court investigation. I do not exclude that us as well as the prosecutors, will use it."