Khodorkovsky: “I Am Not As Naïve Anymore As I Used To Be”
In an interview with Handelsblatt , Mikhail Khodorkovsky discusses the second lawsuit against him, as well as modernization and subsequent reforms in Russia.
Khodorkovsky argues that the accusations against him are neither logical nor consistent. He believes that those responsible for the lawsuit are greedy bureaucrats who benefited from his wealth and fear being held responsible for their actions.
Whilst hopeful that he will someday be released, Khodorkovsky gives a realistic appraisal of the huge forces against him that keep him in prison.
Regarding Russia's future, Khodorkovsky trusts President Dmitry Medvedev's plans to modernize the country. However, he urges Russia's people to act as well, and states that it is their responsibility to claim rule of law and democracy. If they do not, he believes the country will never change.
Commenting on the economic status of Russia, Khodorkovsky argues that his country's economy is that trapped in the mid-20th century; an industrial economy and centralized administration are no longer effective. He therefore concludes that Russia today is unable to compete in the global market.