Valentin Stepankov, who has already published a book on the investigation, warned the coup plotters that he was pushing ahead with indictments and told them that they must finish reviewing files on the case, the news agency said.
According to Russian law, the accused are supposed to review materials relevant to their case before standing trial. Of 14 men charged with plotting the coup, all except Valentin Pavlov, the former Soviet prime minister, have read the files.
Stepankov publicly warned Pavlov and his lawyer Monday that by refusing to read his files he was "violating the law and infringing the interests of other detainees", ordering them to complete their review by Nov. 20.
The investigation was launched immediately after the coup, and the accused coup plotters, who include high-ranking KGB, military, and Communist Party hardliners, have been in jail since August 1991.
Only one, Vasily Starodubtsev, the leader of the Peasant's Union, has been released.
Originally charged with treason, they now await trial for conspiring to seize power.
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