About Khodorkovsky
Prior to his arrest, Mikhail Khodorkovsky was known throughout the world as Russia's most successful businessman and leading philanthropist. He actively promoted civil society, fought corruption, encouraged foreign investment, and sought to integrate Russia into the world community. Mikhail Khodorkovsky is a patriot whose continued imprisonment is a scar on the Russian political landscape.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky built YUKOS into one of the most successful businesses in Russia by bringing the best talent and best practices known in the oil industry. He, along with Platon Lebedev, introduced modern technology and management skills into what had been a nearly bankrupt Soviet-style energy producer. Wishing to share his success with his country, Khodorkovsky became a leading philanthropist, contributing millions of his own for civil society foundations, education programs, and student scholarships.
Khodorkovsky’s Career
Mikhail Khodorkovsky was born on June 26, 1963, in Moscow. His parents, Boris and Marina, worked as chemical engineers, earning modest salaries. Deciding to follow in his parents' footsteps, Khodorkovsky chose to study chemical engineering and graduated in 1986 from Moscow's Mendeleev Institute of Chemical Technologies. Khodorkovsky has also studied at the Plekhanov Institute of Economy - Russia's top economic management school - as well as at the Institute of Law.
In 1987, at the age of 24, he founded the Youth Center for Scientific and Technical Development to conduct market research for large manufacturers and introduce them to new technologies. In 1989, Khodorkovsky together with his business partners founded one of the first commercial banks in Russia - later known as Bank MENATEP. In 1994, Bank MENATEP's board of directors decided to expand its business model to form a diversified industrial group called ROSPROM, which managed the transition of more than 100 large manufacturers from the Soviet economic model to free enterprise. In 1997, Group MENATEP Limited was established as a holding company, which later acquired majority interest in YUKOS.
At the end of 2001, Mikhail Khodorkovsky established the Open Russia Foundation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to the principles of freedom and democracy.
Arrest and Trial
The arrest of Khodorkovsky's key associate, Platon Lebedev in July 2003 was widely interpreted as a warning sign aimed at the YUKOS chief. Against the advice of many, Khodorkovsky chose not to leave Russia because he was determined to refute the charges against him. He also considered leaving a betrayal of Lebedev, his employees, and his homeland. On October 25, 2003 Khodorkovsky was arrested at gunpoint in the city of Novosibirsk.
After an unfair trial on trumped-up charges believed by many to be politically motivated, Khodorkovsky was sentenced on May 16, 2005, to nine years in prison. This sentence was reduced by the Moscow City Court to eight years.
Today
He is currently held at a detention facility in Moscow while standing trial for the second time. The new charges were brought against him on June 30, 2008 and the second trial began on March 31, 2009.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky is married and has four children.