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Ex-Yukos chief Khodorkovsky charged with organizing murders in Russia — investigators

Mikhail Khodorkovsky didn't turn up at the Investigative Committee for questioning on the 1998 murder of Nefteyugansk Mayor Vladimir Petukhov

Mikhail Khodorkovsky Zurab Javakhadze/TASS

Mikhail Khodorkovsky

© Zurab Javakhadze/TASS

MOSCOW, December 11. /TASS/. Russia’s Investigative Committee has brought charges in absentia against former head of the now defunct oil company Yukos Mikhail Khodorkovsky, accusing him of organizing two murders.

Considering that Khodorkovsky has not appeared before the Investigative Committee for questioning, he will be put on a wanted list soon, Investigative Committees spokesman Vladimir Markin said.

"According to the investigation, Khodorkovsky who was a shareholder and the board chairman of the oil company Yukos instructed his subordinates Nevzlin and Pichugin, and also other persons to murder Petukhov and Rybin whose official activities ran counter to Yukos’ interests," the spokesman said.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky and his lawyers didn't turn up at the Investigative Committee for questioning on the 1998 murder of Nefteyugansk Mayor Vladimir Petukhov.

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