According to an announcement by a spokesman for the Russian Supreme Court, Chairman Vyacheslav Lebedev has issued a ruling overturning another judge’s rejection of an appeal against the second conviction filed by Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev, ordering the start of review proceedings.

Khodorkovsky’s defense lawyer hopes the Supreme Court chairman’s decision to begin an oversight inquiry into their clients’ complaints marks some headway in the case.

“I have just learned that the Supreme Court chairman has made the decision to start an oversight inquiry into our complaints,” Vadim Klyuvgant told Interfax on Tuesday. “I can only say one thing: this is either yet another special operation with the use of the court or the first step towards justice. I hope for the latter.”

Meanwhile, Khodorkovsky’s defense team remains cautiously optimistic as to what the latest events mean for their client.

“We will see how the situation develops, and what the follow-up events and outcome will be,” the defense lawyer said. “The decision alone does not tell us anything.”

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