Khodorkovsky facing new money laundering charges on eve of trial verdict News
Khodorkovsky facing new money laundering charges on eve of trial verdict

[JURIST] As anticipated [JURIST report], Russian prosecutors Friday announced plans to bring new charges of money laundering against Mikhail Khodorkovsky [BBC profile], former CEO of second-largest Russian oil firm Yukos [corporate website], and his business partner Platon Lebedev. Khodorkovsky is currently awaiting the expected May 16 verdict [JURIST report] in his trial [Khodorkovsky defense website] on charges of fraud and tax evasion, for which he could spend up to ten years in jail if convicted. Many observers believe the charges filed against Khodorkovsky are a result of his opposition to the Putin government; Russia's richest citizen, he began funding opposition parties in 2003. BBC News has more; MosNews has local coverage.

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THIS DAY @ LAW

International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism

November 9 is the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism [UNITED factsheet]. On November 9, 1924, American gay activist Henry Gerber and several associates formed the Society for Human Rights, the first gay rights organization in the United States. The Society received a charter from the State of Illinois in December but was disbanded in July 1925 after a police raid which led to Gerber's arrest and trial (albeit not conviction). Pay a virtual visit to Henry Gerber House, now a registered Chicago landmark.

Supreme Court strikes down Massachusetts anti-draft law

On November 9, 1970, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 in Massachusetts v. Laird not to hear the case of the state's anti-draft law. Massachusetts had passed a law, which allowed its citizens to decline to fight in any undeclared war, even if the person was drafted. The law was passed in opposition to the draft and the war in Vietnam. The First Circuit found the war constitutional and thus struck down the law.