Khodorkovsky lawyer: European Court ruling 'a victory'

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Russia violated the rights of the jailed oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, but that there was insufficient evidence to show that his prosecution was politically motivated.

In their unanimous ruling, the judges in Strasbourg ordered Russia to pay him 24,543 euros (£21,426) in compensation.

The ruling, which is not final, said there had been violations in Khodorkovsky's conditions of detention after his arrest in October 2003. His eight-year prison term has since been extended by another five years.

Karinna Moskalenko, from Mr Khodorkovsky's legal team, said it was a "very important judgement" which recognised "numerous violations of fundamental rights".