Witness Testimony Summary: Mikhail Khodorkovsky

27 May 2010
Khodorkovsky and Lebedev Communications Center

 

Khodorkovsky in the Khamovnichesky CourtOn April 6, Mikhail Khodorkovsky began his testimony in the Khamovnichesky Court. In a preamble, he told the court that he would not discuss political and corrupt motives behind the trial, except that it was motivated by his support of independent political opposition and his opponents' desire to get their hands on all of the potential flowing from his ownership rights in the largest and best managed Russian crude oil company - YUKOS.

 

Between April 6 and April 7, Khodorkovsky presented his arguments - demonstrating for the court the difference between the physical movement of crude oil and ownership rights transfer. Khodorkovsky concluded the introductory part of his testimony, by providing the court with six summary statements. 

Wellhead liquid and crude oil presented by KhodorkovskyIn the second phase of his testimony, presented on April 7, April 9 and April 12, Khodorkovsky told the court that he would focus on providing a systemic analysis of YUKOS and its business activity. Khodorkovsky presented the court with 12 assertions on YUKOS' business activities from the prosecution's indictment that he intended to prove false. During this portion of the trial, Khodorkovsky provided the court with a detailed analysis of Russia's oil industry and YUKOS' business practices.

Concluding his testimony on April 13, Khodorkovsky conducted a question and answer session with himself, covering a full range of assertations from the indictment and highlighting previous parts of his testimony. Khodorkovsky systematically rejeced the prosecution's claims, and finished by offering the prosecution the opportunity to submit their own questions to him.