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The verdict for Yukos founder Mikhail Khodorkovsky's tax-evasion trial has been postponed until May 16.

When everybody arrived to the courthouse, they found nothing but a note taped to the door telling them of the delay.

A reason for the verdict's delay wasn't given, but a news agency in Russia reported that a court official had said that the judge hadn't finished writing the sentence.

According to a Financial Times article,

Analysts have suggested the Kremlin wanted to avoid a verdict before May 9, when president Vladimir Putin hosts George Bush, US president, and other world leaders to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

There was also speculation that Mr Putin wanted to avoid awkward questions about the trial during his visit to Israel this week. He is expected to press for the extradition of Leonid Nevzlin, Vladimir Dubov and Mikhail Brudno, large shareholders of Menatep, Yukos's parent group, now living in Israel but wanted on criminal charges in Russia. But Ariel Sharon, Israeli prime minister, made clear last week he would not extradite Russian oligarchs.

Khodorkovsky was detained nearly a year and a half ago as part of an investigation into Yukos.

Chris is a staff writer for WebProNews. Visit WebProNews for the latest ebusiness news.