US would like Khodorkovsky trial to be open

US ambassador to Russia, Alexander Vershbow, has said he would like the trial of Mikhail Khodorkovsky to be open and accessible to the media and public. As reported by a Rosbalt correspondent, Vershbow made the statement Thursday following a meeting with the first vice-speaker of the Russian Duma, Liubov Sliska.

According to Sliska, the ambassador argued that there was 'huge interest in the world community regarding the Khodorkovsky case. In addition, in his conversation with me, Vershbow expressed his opinion of Khodorkovsky's detention and the course of the investigation. He considers that the former head of YUKOS could have been released on bond.'

In turn, during her conversation with the ambassador the vice-speaker pointed out that 'the judicial system in Russia is independent, as it is in the United States, and only the court may decide whether the trial will be open or closed.'