Experts comment on new court ruling in YUKOS case

The actions of Russian authorities in the YUKOS case are like a caricature, analysts say commenting on the recent court decision to re-seize Yuganskneftegaz securities after the Moscow Arbitration Court called the corresponding ruling illegal. Mass media accuse Russian authorities of benefiting from manipulating the stock market. Most influential foreign mass media are covering this story - contributing to a negative image of Russia. Taking into account recent events, one should say that the Kremlin has made no decision on the scenery of attacking Khodorkovsky's empire. It is still doubtful considering the problem: if it is better to crush the empire by selling Yuganskneftegaz this September, or Russian authorities should have a milder position and sell YUKOS' smaller subsidiary, Tomskneft, before then. Tomskneft may be sold to pay the back tax bill for 2000. Then Yuganskneftegaz will be sold to settle the claims of overdue taxes for 2001-2002, experts say. Russian authorities are not going to compromise with the MENATEP Group, therefore YUKOS will likely be broken into pieces, analysts point out. One should have insider information to handle YUKOS securities on the stock market, experts believe.