Russian prosecution asks 3 more months in custody for ex-Yukos chief

A state prosecutor at the Meshchansky district court on Monday has demanded three more months in custody for ex- Yukos chief Mikhail Khodokovsky - until February 14, 2005.

The prosecutor motivated his appeal, saying that if freed Khodorkovsky might put pressure on witnesses or escape abroad.

Ex-Yukos chief Mikhail Khodorkovsky is under investigation for crimes punished by seven articles of the Criminal Code, including tax evasion and illegal appropriation of 20 percent of shares of the Apatit Company in 1994.

Khordorkovsky's term in custody expires on November 14, 2004.

Source: Agencies