Russia court starts Khodorkovsky parole hearing

By Chris Baldwin

CHITA, Russia, Aug 21 (Reuters) - A Russian court on Thursday began deliberating on whether to grant parole to former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a case his lawyers say is a test of the Kremlin's commitment to the rule of law.

Khodorkovsky, once Russia's richest man who says he was jailed as part of a Kremlin vendetta, watched proceedings from inside a metal cage guarded by 10 men armed with weapons including an electric prod and an automatic rifle.

The court in the eastern Siberian city of Chita adjourned the hearing until Friday to give the judge time to review video evidence of an alleged prison misdemeanour which could block Khodorkovsky's early release.

Khodorkovsky has served over half of an eight-year prison sentence for fraud and tax evasion. He says the charges were fabricated to punish him for challenging the Kremlin. Officials say he was a criminal who was given a fair trial.

His lawyers said the early release hearing was a test case for new Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who has said he wants to improve the rule of law and end arbitrary legal decisions.

Khodorkovsky, 45, appeared healthy and smiled periodically at his mother and friends in the Ingodinsky regional court.

During his time behind bars, prison officials have reprimanded him for, among other things, failing to clasp his hands behind his back, drinking tea away from the appointed place and failing to wipe dirt from a glass jar in his cell.

His lawyers say these allegations were invented to hurt his prospects for early release.

Asked outside the courtroom if she believed he would be freed, Khodorkovsky's mother, Maria, told reporters: "I would very much like to hope so, but having lived in this country for so long I can only imagine the enormous forces at play here." (Editing by Giles Elgood)