Siberian judge denies Yukos founder parole

CHITA, Russia, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- A judge ordered Mikhail Khodorkovsky back to prison Friday, denying parole for the founder of the former Russian oil giant Yukos.

Khodorkovsky, serving eight years for tax evasion and fraud, is also facing charges he laundered billions of dollars, RIA Novosti reported Friday.

Judge Igor Falileyev denied parole on the grounds Khodorkovsky refused to participate in a training program while in prison and broke prison rules.

Khodorkovsky's lawyer asserted that the former executive "failed to learn the profession of a sewing machine operator … and this despite his education, intellect and managerial experience."

Khodorkovsky also failed to comply with an order "to put his hands behind his back," defense lawyer Vadim Klyuvgant said.

Klyuvgant called the parole denial "quasi-legal," Novosti reported.

Khodorkovsky has said he was being punished for supporting political opponents of former president Vladamir Putin.

He was convicted in 2005 and the oil company was broken down and sold, Novosti reported.