• Mikhail Khodorkovsky
  • Platon Lebedev

We declare that the most flagrant violations of fundamental constitutional rights and lawful interests have been allowed in relation to M.B. Khodorkovsky and P.L. Lebedev, which rule out the possibility of a fair examination and resolution of the case.

Click to read the defense’s full stay motion.

Khodorkovsky is known to the world for his commitment to transparency and corporate governance in business as well as his contributions to the development of civil society in Russia. He is Russia's most famous political prisoner.

Learn more about Mikhail Khodorkovsky

Yukos Affair Timeline

"I believe in Russia's future, and this also includes Russia's judicial system. I try to help the judicial system to become qualified, independent and impartial... We have an opportunity to set things right so that no one will ever feel ashamed of our country."

Platon Lebedev
5 Oct 2007

Platon Lebedev, was Director of Group MENATEP Limited, the holding company for YUKOS. Trained as an industrial economist, Lebedev pioneered modern business practices.

Learn more about Platon Lebedev

Yukos Affair Timeline

Top Stories

  • MBK - Arrest

    How the “Conveyor Belt” of Russian Justice Works

    5 Mar 2010 | Khodorkovsky and Lebedev Communications Center

    In a recent article in Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Khodorkovsky argued that it would be a mistake to believe that his case and the destruction of YUKOS, is a “one-off” phenomenon. The entire Russian justice system has adapted to politicized justice.

    Read more

  • MBK - Thinking

    Khodorkovsky’s Mistake?

    4 Mar 2010 | Khodorkovsky and Lebedev Communications Center

    Khodorkovsky’s belief in a modern and fair Russia have led some to call him naïve, thereby suggesting that one should go to jail and face whatever consequence if they happen to believe in Russia and its ability to independently administer justice.

    Read more

  • MBK - Thinking

    Khodorkovsky: Conveyor Belt of Russian Justice Legalizes Abuse

    3 Mar 2010 | Nezavisimaya Gazeta

    One year on from the start of the pre-trial proceedings of his second show-trial, Mikhail Khodorkovsky writes in Nezavisimaya Gazeta about the "conveyer belt" that is the Russian judicial system.

    Read more

  • MBK/PLL bars

    Putin's Populist Sitcom

    1 Mar 2010 | Khodorkovsky and Lebedev Communications Center

    Putin's latest vilification of Russia's oligarchs is yet another demonstration of absurd political theatrics in the aftermath of the Yukos Affair.

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  • Oil Containers

    YUKOS Claim Against Russia to Be Heard by European Court of Human Rights

    26 Feb 2010 | Khodorkovsky and Lebedev Communications Center

    On March 4, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) will finally hear the case of YUKOS v Russian Federation, which has been repeatedly postponed by the Russian side.

    Read more

More News

Events

The Alternative France-Russia Year 2010 launched its new website providing information on the year-long schedule of events. The campaign, supported by leading French and Russian rights groups, aims to make sure that no one forgets that it is simply unacceptable to hide the rights abuses in Russia today - symbolized most dramatically by Khodorkovsky and Lebedev's current show trial.

Read more »

What Others are Saying

"Symbolizing all that is wrong with the Russian system is the current trial of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and his former partner, Platon Lebedev, who ran the Yukos Oil Company. The absurd charges against them—for example, embezzling 350 million tons of oil--are an attack on the fundamental right of individuals to own property under law. As this is the second trial for both men, it is a palpable judicial farce."

Stephen Blank, Professor, Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army