(CPOD) Jul. 30, 2004 - Russians want the tax evasion trial of Mikhail Khodorkovsky to continue, according to a poll by Russian Public Opinion & Market Research. 68 per cent of respondents believe legal action against the former YUKOS chairman should continue even if he pays his debts.

On Oct. 25, 2003, Khodorkovsky was arrested on tax evasion and fraud charges. YUKOS—the second-largest Russian oil conglomerate—is said to be on the verge of bankruptcy as a result of a $7 billion U.S. tax claim, which led to the freezing of the company's bank accounts. Yesterday, the Russian government allowed the company to resume oil production.

Khodorkovsky's arrest was considered as a forceful action after Russian president Vladimir Putin promised a crackdown on corruption. Other observers see the case as retaliation after the chairman supported Putin's political rivals.

According to published reports, Putin is considering former Canadian prime minister Jean Chrétien to act as a mediator in talks between the Russian government, YUKOS and banks.

Polling Data

In your opinion, if Mikhail Khodorkovsky voluntarily pays all taxes, should the criminal case against him end?

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