Putin ‘to pardon’ jailed former oil tycoon Khodorkovsky

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on the 19 December 2013 that he would soon pardon jailed former tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

Mr Putin said he had received a request from Khodorkovsky - in custody for a decade - to pardon him on humanitarian grounds as his mother was ill.

Khodorkovsky's representatives said they were unaware of any such request.

Analysts said that Mr Putin might be trying to ease international criticism of Russia's human rights record ahead of the February 2014 Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

The announcement followed confirmation from Putin that the members of the band Pussy Riot and 28 Greenpeace activists detained in 2013 would also be granted amnesty under a bill passed by Russia's parliament on the 18 December 2013.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky was freed on the 20 December 2013. He immediately flew to Germany to visit his sick mother.

• Primary Source

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ESO: Background information: Mixed European Court ruling in Russia Khodorkovsky case http://www.europeansources.info/record/mixed-european-court-ruling-in-russia-khodorkovsky-case/

ESO: Background information: Khodorkovsky to serve six more years http://www.europeansources.info/record/khodorkovsky-to-serve-six-more-years/

The Guardian, 19.12.13: Vladimir Putin says he will pardon jailed oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/19/vladimir-putin-mikhail-khodorkovsky

Deutsche Welle, 19.12.13: Putin announces pardon for Khodorkovsky, Pussy Riot during annual Q&A http://dw.de/p/1AcSD

BBC News, 20.12.13: Russia frees Khodorkovsky after Putin signs pardon http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25460427

Deutsche Welle, 20.12.13: Putin signs pardon for jailed oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky http://dw.de/p/1AdpC

BBC News, 20.12.13: Khodorkovsky arrives in Germany after Putin pardon http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25467587

Euronews, 20.12.13: Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky flies to Germany after Putin pardon http://www.euronews.com/2013/12/20/kremlin-critic-mikhail-khodorkovsky-out-of-prison-after-pardon-by-putin/

Deutsche Welle, 25.10.13: A decade on, Khodorkovsky stands his ground http://dw.de/p/1A5Zj

RIA Novosti, 20.12.13: Khodorkovsky Flies to Germany After Release from Russian Prison http://en.ria.ru/russia/20131220/185772201/Khodorkovsky-Flies-to-Germany-After-Release-from-Russian-Prison.html

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