Mikhail Khodorkovsky moved to solitary ward

Jailed oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky has been moved to solitary confinement after receiving allegedly banned documents at his prison camp near the Chinese border where he is serving out an 8-year sentence on tax evasion and fraud charges, his lawyers said Tuesday. Prison officials were not immediately available for comment. According to a statement posted on the Web site of Khodorkovsky's supporters, Russia's once richest man was transferred to an isolation cell for five days after receiving two Justice Ministry documents on inmates' rights. The statement said that the Russian Criminal code banned only the receipt of maps, literature dealing with martial arts, dog breeding, weapons construction and pornography.

"There is no doubt that this is revenge for Khodorkovsky standing up for his legitimate rights," lawyer Yury Schmidt said in a comment posted on the site.

Khodorkovsky's jailing and the parallel transfer of part of his Yukos oil empire into state hands because of a back taxes dispute in December 2004 has been seen by many as punishment for the tycoon's political activities and a state grab for influence in the crucial oil sector.

Meanwhile an extended meeting with Khodorkovsky's parents slated for January 30 had been canceled due to repairs in the prison meeting room, the statement said, reports the AP.

D.M.