WASHINGTON — The guilty verdict brought against Russian tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky will have a "negative impact on Russia's reputation," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday.
The chief US diplomat said in a statement that Khodorkovsky's conviction in his second fraud trial "raises serious questions about selective prosecution -- and about the rule of law being overshadowed by political considerations."
"This and similar cases have a negative impact on Russia's reputation for fulfilling its international human rights obligations and improving its investment climate," Clinton added.
Khodorkovsky and co-accused Platon Lebedev were convicted of embezzlement and money laundering, dashing the hopes of Russian liberals that the trial would show a new approach from Russian courts.
Clinton added the United States would be monitoring the appeals process.
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