[JURIST] The verdict reading [JURIST report] for oil magnate Mikhail Khodorkovsky [defense website] continued into its ninth day Thursday. Khodorkovsky, former CEO of Russian oil firm Yukos [official website], and his partner Platon Lebedev have been indicted for fraud and embezzlement [JURIST report]. Issues addressed by the court on Thursday concerned the corporate tax evasion charges against both men. Defense lawyers believes the evidence read in court will lead to a guilty verdict for both defendants, who face up to ten years in prison, although there is evidence that they may face a lighter sentence [JURIST report] than originally thought. Those defending Khodorkovsky believe that the only reason he is standing trial is because he has funded opposition parties in the past. AP has more.