Robert Amsterdam

From the Wall Street Journal Law Blog:

Judge Igor Falileyev, holding court in the Siberian city of Chita, rejected Khodorkovsky’s request for an early release from an eight-year sentence for tax evasion and fraud, according to an AP report. The judge said he was ineligible for parole because he had refused to undertake professional training at his prison, which specializes in sewing, and because of an incident in which he flouted prison rules.

Khodorkovsky’s lawyer, Vadim Klyuvgant, said the decision was handed down “by a court that is not free and is heavily influenced by those who are simply scared of freeing Mikhail Khodorkovsky.” He called the decision politically motivated and said he would appeal. Khodorkovsky (pictured) is eligible to file another parole request in six months.

“The judicial system won’t be reformed any time soon,” said Khodorkovsky, once Russia’s richest person, as he was hustled out of the court by guards.