[JURIST] A hearing in the appeal of imprisoned oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky [JURIST news archive; defense website] over his tax fraud conviction was delayed Monday due to confusion over who would lead his defense. The court hearing the appeal announced a postponement on Wednesday after Khodorkovsky's attorney, Genrikh Padva, failed to appear due to health reasons. Khodorkovsky has refused to allow three lawyers appointed by the court to represent him, citing their inadequate grasp of the case in the limited time they were given to prepare. Khodorkovsky also said a quarantine placed on him [Mosnews report] by prison authorities after a sick prisoner was put in his cell has prevented him from meeting with his attorneys. One of Khodorkovsky's attorneys said the court's handling of his appeal was aimed at stopping the former Yukos CEO's parliamentary bid that he announced last month. AP has more.

Previously in JURIST's Paper Chase...

• Khodorkovsky appeal begins in Moscow court
• Khodorkovsky moves forward in bid for parliament seat
• Khodorkovsky announces bid for Russian parliament seat
• Khodorkovsky ends prison hunger strike