Court keeps up demand for Gorbachev to testify

MOSCOW - Russia's Constitutional court again insisted yesterday that Mr Gorbachev should testify in its hearings to determine the fate of the party, writes Andrew Higgins. 'The court thinks he has enough time to accomplish his civil duties before he goes to Germany (for the memorial service), the court said.

Mr Gorbachev, speaking on the radio, reiterated that he had no intention of testifying in hearings he dismisses as a witch-hunt. He is the only senior former party official to have refused to testify. Yesterday the court heard testimony from Alexander Yakovlev, a close associate of Mr Gorbachev.