Russian ex-tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky arrives in Germany after Putin’s pardon
Russian ex-tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky has arrived in Germany, hours after being pardoned by President Vladimir Putin and freed from a decade in jail.
In a statement Mr Khodorkovsky, 50, confirmed he had asked Mr Putin for a pardon due to “family circumstances” – his mother is suffering from cancer.
He did not admit guilt and referred to those who were “unjustly convicted and continue to be persecuted” in his case.
Mr Putin earlier said he had signed the pardon on “the principles of humanity”.
Mr Khodorkovsky, the former head of the now defunct oil giant Yukos, was once Russia’s richest man and had used his wealth to fund opposition parties.
Mr Khodorkovsky, a practising Christian who has repeatedly spoken of social justice in his articles and interviews from jail, could become a potent living symbol of atonement for the real and perceived injustices of the 1990s privatisation era.
This is a powerful message in a country of disillusioned idealists, which Russia has become under Mr Putin.
With thoughtful statements, articles and interviews, the ex-tycoon presents an image of a man who has a comprehensive vision for the future of Russia based on the rule of law and trust in people’s common sense.
He was jailed for tax evasion and theft.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was “happy” that Mr Khodorkovsky had been freed.
21.122013
MEDIA
