You're reading: EU official disappointed by court ruling in Khodorkovsky, Lebedev case

EU High Representative on Foreign Policy and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said she is deeply disappointed by the Moscow City Court decision on the appeals filed by the lawyers for former Yukos CEO Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev.

The Moscow City Court on Tuesday upheld the sentence imposed on Khodorkovsky and Lebedev, reducing their prison term by one year. In accordance with the sentence, they can walk free no earlier than in 2016.

In her statement issued in Brussels, Ashton said she is concerned about the numerous violations of the trial procedures, which reflect systemic problems of Russian judicial law.

Ashton also said she believes the reduction of the sentence to Khodorkovsky and Lebedev by one year is a little concession.

Ashton said she believes this case is a fine example of law is enforced in Russia.

Nevertheless, Ashton said in her statement that the EU is calling on Russia to demonstrate a decision to build a society based on respect for supremacy of law.

Political, economic, and social modernization in Russia requires reforms to create a transparent, independent and dependable legal system free from political interference, Ashton said.