Russian Official Defends Trial of Former Yukos Chief

 

By Michael Drudge¹

A Russian cabinet minister says the trial of the former chief of the Yukos oil company is proceeding² correctly within Russia's legal system. The official, Defense³ Minister Sergei Ivanov, discussed the case at a London news conference.

Mr. Ivanov was asked why Russia should be considered a serious democratic partner of the west at the same time it tries former Yukos oil chief, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, on charges of tax evasion⁴ and fraud.

Critics say Mr. Khodorkovsky is being prosecuted⁵ because he supported opposition⁶ politicians.

Mr. Ivanov speaking through interpreter told reporter there are different understandings of democracy between the East and the West.

"I believe the notion of democracy have utmost in your mind is your own notion of democracy in the west. If there is such as thing as western democracy, there should also be eastern democracy. I believe the theme which matters greatly here about democracy is the full compliance⁷ with the laws and the constitution in effect in Russia."

Mr. Ivanov said the Khodorkovsky case deals with alleged⁸ criminal activity, not supposed violations⁹ of democratic principles or human rights.

"As far as I know, such criminal charges are more often than not pressed as well against these quarters [accused] also in the well-developed western democracies."

Mr. Ivanov spoke¹⁰ with reporters following talks in London on defense-related issues with his British counterpart, Geoff Hoon.

Michael Drudge, VOA news, London.
注释：
cabinet minister 阁僚，大臣
prosecute 起诉
utmost 极度的，最大限度
compliance 依从，顺从
counterpart 对应人物

1 drudge   

n.劳碌的人；v.做苦工，操劳

参考例句：

• I feel like a real drudge--I've done nothing but clean all day!我觉得自己像个做苦工的--整天都在做清洁工作！
• I'm a poor,miserable,forlorn drudge;I shall only drag you down with me.我是一个贫穷，倒运，走投无路的苦力，只会拖累你。

2 proceeding   

n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报

参考例句：

• This train is now proceeding from Paris to London.这次列车从巴黎开往伦敦。
• The work is proceeding briskly.工作很有生气地进展着。

3 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

4 evasion   

n.逃避，偷漏(税)

参考例句：

• The movie star is in prison for tax evasion.那位影星因为逃税而坐牢。
• The act was passed as a safeguard against tax evasion.这项法案旨在防止逃税行为。

5 prosecuted   

a.被起诉的

参考例句：

• The editors are being prosecuted for obscenity. 编辑因刊载污秽文字而被起诉。
• The company was prosecuted for breaching the Health and Safety Act. 这家公司被控违反《卫生安全条例》。

6 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

7 compliance   

n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从

参考例句：

• I was surprised by his compliance with these terms.我对他竟然依从了这些条件而感到吃惊。
• She gave up the idea in compliance with his desire.她顺从他的愿望而放弃自己的主意。

8 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

9 violations   

违反( violation的名词复数 )； 冒犯； 违反（行为、事例）； 强奸

参考例句：

• This is one of the commonest traffic violations. 这是常见的违反交通规则之例。
• These violations of the code must cease forthwith. 这些违犯法规的行为必须立即停止。

10 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。