Khodorkovsky & Lebedev Communications Center

Aleksander Smolar, the president of the Stefan Batory Foundation, a leading Polish think tank, is interviewed about the Khodorkovsky case in Russia. Smolar explains that Khodorkovsky became a famous businessman when he was imprisoned on false charges for political reasons by Vladimir Putin. He continues to say that Putin used Khodorkovsky, who was involved in Russian politics and supported opposition parties, to make an example of what would happen to other Russian oligarchs should they challenge his leadership.

Smolar continues on to say "Khodorkovsky's case became a symbol that bears different meanings. A symbol of a man oppressed for political reasons, a symbol of power's mechanism that, while keeping appearances of democracy there are elections taking place in Russia actually brings it down to theatre of democracy where you know from the beginning who will be the winner, who will be the leader of Russia."

He concludes his thoughts expressing hope that the new President Medvedev will really fight the legal nihilism that has surrounding the Khodorkovsky case, but asserts it will be unlikely because he views Mevedev as a puppet of predecessor, Vladimir Putin.