Henry Jackson Society Event: Trial of Khodorkovsky was “Very Very Visibly Slanted”
On March 4, the Henry Jackson Society held an event entitled "Russia in 2010: An Appraisal," chaired by Lord Trimble.
Speaking at the event were:
- Sir Anthony Brenton, a former British Ambassador to Russia
- Elena Tregubova, a Russian journalist and dissident
- Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform
- Gisela Stuart MP (Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee)
Brenton looked back over the last twenty years of politics, economics and international affairs in Russia. He noted that Russia now has a free printed press, there is scope for popular discontent and an entirely free internet. However, he added that television is carefully watched in Russia, and election results do not match the numbers. Brenton argued that politics in Russia is controlled and fixed by the elite, and pointed out that Mikhail Khodorkovsky was jailed following a "very very visibly slanted trial," which he described as a demonstration of what can happen if you get on the wrong side. He added that the "Khodorkovsky case is a scandal" and it is destructive to Russia's economic position.
In attendance was Jamieson Firestone, from Firestone Duncan, who fled Russia following the death in custody of Sergei Magnitsky, his former employee. Firestone argued that the UK Government must tell Russia that the Khodorkovsky trial is damaging them, and he questioned whether the UK Government has raised the issue. Lord Trimble confirmed that he had raised the issue.
Tregubova commented that there are no free elections in Russia, no means to show dissent and no access to the mass media for opposition. She noted that the television and the courts are controlled by the Kremlin, and Russia therefore has no one to defend democracy.
Charles Grant spoke about the EU's relationship with Russia. Commenting on the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), he said: "If we cannot have the ECT, then at the very least we need the principles of this Treaty for our investors."
Sir Anthony stated that Russian success over the next ten years depends on substantially improving the rule of law. However, he argued that this will only happen by strengthening the private sector, improving its economy and producing a middle class.