- 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.
- Current Legal Status: On Trial
- Incarcerated: Matrosskaya Tishina Detention Facility
- Latest Statement: "Legalized Abuse" in Nezavisimaya Gazeta
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.
"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."
- Current Legal Status: On Trial
- Incarcerated: Matrosskaya Tishina Detention Facility
- Latest Statement: Lebedev Court Statement on the Essence of the Charges: April 21, 2009
Platon Lebedev, was Director of Group MENATEP Limited, the holding company for YUKOS. Trained as an industrial economist, Lebedev pioneered modern business practices.
Top Stories
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MEMORIAL Germany: In Joint Support of Justice and Democracy
The Khodorkovsky case is turning into a “judicial farce”, according to Ulrike Mattfeldt, board member of MEMORIAL Germany. In an exclusive oped for the Khodorkovsky & Lebedev Communications Center, Mattfeld describes the countless cases of a lack of human rights in Russia, taken on by MEMORIAL.
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Russian Modernization in Suspended Animation
Last week Dmitry Medvedev celebrated the second anniversary of his landslide victory in the 2008 presidential elections of the Russian Federation. Two years on, a similar bated-breath optimism for reform remains oddly suspended in mid air.
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How the “Conveyor Belt” of Russian Justice Works
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.
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Khodorkovsky’s Mistake?
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.
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Khodorkovsky: Conveyor Belt of Russian Justice Legalizes Abuse
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.
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Levada Center Poll Shows Majority of Russians Believe YUKOS Bankruptcy Benefitted Regime
According to a new Levada Center poll, a quarter of Russians said they would release Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev if the decision lay with them.
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Moscow Court Defers Hearing Of Repeat Arrest Warrant Petition For Former Yukos Accountant
Moscow's Basmanny District Court has deferred its consideration of a repeat application from the Investigative Committee of the Prosecutor General's Office for ... Read More »
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Moscow Paper Reports Medvedev to Form Rival Political Party to United Russia
Russian newspaper Trud has reported that President Medvedev may create a new political party to rival Prime Minister Putin’s United Russia.
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Kasparov: Rosneft Built on Capital Stolen from YUKOS
Garry Kasparov, in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, discusses Putin's vision of Russia, noting a tendency toward authoritarianism and its effe... Read More »
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Europe's Road to Energy Security
Gary Schmitt, program director at the American Enterprise Institute, urges Europe to adopt unconventional gas extraction techniques like the US to shrink their ... Read More »
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Moscow City Court To Hear Appeal On Use of Laptops in Prison
The Moscow City court will hear an appeal by the Matrosskaya Tishina detention facility administration against a Preobrazhensky court ruling that allowed Plato... Read More »
From the Communications Center
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.
What Others are Saying
We welcome your comments on the monthly Khodorkovsky and Lebedev Communications Center Newsletter.
See previous newsletters here
"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
Malcolm Bruce, UK Liberal Democrat MP