[JURIST] A Moscow court Thursday rejected the appeal of jailed Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky [JURIST news archive; defense website] against his conviction [JURIST report] on fraud and tax evasion charges, but reduced his nine-year sentence [JURIST report] to eight years. The decision, which followed several postponements of the proceedings [JURIST report], came after just one day of arguments from the prosecution and defense. Khodorkovsky's lawyers have said that their client did not get a fair appeal and likened the proceedings to a Soviet-era hearing. This would appear to end Khodorkovsky's intended parliamentary run [JURIST report]. Russia's Central Election Commission [official website] has indicated that Khodorkovsky is only eligible to run while his case is under appeal or if his conviction is overturned. AP has more. MosNews has local coverage.