国际英语新闻：U.S. concerned over Russia's convictions of former business tycoons

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Monday expressed concerns over Russia's convictions of its two former business tycoons, namely Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev.

U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton said in a statement that the convictions of the two "raises serious questions about selective prosecution -- and about the rule of law being overshadowed by political considerations."

The cases will have "a negative impact on Russia's reputation for fulfilling its international human rights obligations and improving its investment climate," said Clinton, adding that the United States will monitor the appeal process.

Former Yukos tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky was found guilty on Monday by a Moscow court on charges of embezzlement.

Platon Lebedev, former CEO of Menatep Group, was also found guilty by the Moscow Khamovnichesky court in a second criminal case against the two former oil tycoons, on charges of large-scale theft by an organized group and attempts to legalize stolen property.