Khodorkovsky & Lebedev Communications Center

Several prominent German parliamentarians delivered speeches regarding the resolution titled "Strengthening Rule of Law in Russia" on July 2nd which referenced Mikhail Khodorkovsky's trial.

Among them, include:

Dr Andreas Schockenhoff MP (Conservative Party), Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Faction & Coordinator of German-Russian Intersocietal Cooperation

"I feel justified in my concern that this trial begs significant question marks regarding rule of law and that it does not conform to the conditions of rule of law that Russia has obliged itself to uphold, as well as the concern that it could be used for political ends."

"The Khodorkovsky trial is an important test case for the credibility of the Russian justice system Medvedev holds dear, due to its signal effect for the economic and legal culture within Russia."

"Thus the second trial against Khodorkovsky is also a test case for the capability of Russia to modernize."

Marieluise Beck MP (Green Party), Member of Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Bundestag

"This trial is public, in contrast to the previous trial. We could consider that progress, or a demonstration. The impression that remains is that of a soulless machine with a predetermined product: public enemy number one is presented and the state punishes him with the harshness meted out to enemies of the state."

"Mikhail Khodorkovsky has long since become a symbol for how the Russian state treats its independent critics. Hardly anyone, even in Russia, doubts the political motivation behind the trial, this second one even clearer than the first in 2005."

"Now we are looking at a show of power. Khodorkovsky personifies the type of enlightened, emancipated and independent citizen that authoritarian states fear more than armies."

"It remains correct and meaningful to measure him [Medvedev] and his policies on the yardstick he set for himself."

"As long as the apparatus at the top is afraid, it will suppress these dynamics and prevent effective modernization. We must hope that President Medvedev understands that and can act accordingly, for Russia's sake, for Mikhail Khodorkovsky and in fact for all of us."

Markus Meckel MP (Social Democrats), Deputy Spokesman on Foreign Affairs

"The second trial currently underway is all the more a test case to see whether the Russian justice system will make the grade. There are many signs to indicate that the new trial is also politically motivated. The charges seem absurd alone from the supposed amount of embezzled crude oil, which was enough that if it were filled into train cars and lined up, the line would circle the earth three times."

"The trial is a test case for the seriousness with which the reforms are being undertaken and for Medvedev's general credibility."

"Medvedev's credibility and his agenda for reform will largely be determined by the outcome of the test case Khodorkovsky/Lebedev in court."

Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger MP (Liberal Party), Rapporteur for Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe

"The second trial against Khodorkovsky and Lebedev must repulse neutral observers, with a potential custodial sentence of up to 20 years for the same case and facts that were the basis for the first trial, except that they are being evaluated completely differently than they were the first time. (...) Any lawyer must notice that this is not sustainable, it is in fact contradictory and thus arbitrary."

"These facts make it particularly important to insist that those responsible in Russia finally fight against the legal nihilism that their own president has criticized through the improvement of the justice system. The independence of the justice system must finally be guaranteed, with those in power free from political influence."

"In all international committees where Russia is a member, the deficits in the rule of law within Russia must be discussed and the obligations Russia has committed to must be demanded."

Read the original German statements on pages 26070-26075 of the plenary session on July 2nd >>