[JURIST] Mikhail Khodorkovsky [JURIST news archives, trial website], the former head of Russian oil company Yukos who is currently serving a 9-year prison sentence for fraud and tax evasion, plans to run for the State Duma [official website, in Russian], the lower house of the Russian Parliament, his lawyer said Tuesday. Ivan Starikov, a senior member of the liberal Union of the Right Forces [Wikipedia profile], said a group was being formed to nominate Khodorkovsky as a candidate and Irina Khakamada, a top liberal politician, said she would support his candidacy. The deputy head of the Central Election Commission [official website] said Khodorkovsky had the right to run for office because his sentence was currently under appeal and had not yet come into force. MosNews has local coverage.