Putin Was Unaware of New Khodorkovsky Charges
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said he was unaware of new charges brought against former Yukos head Mikhail Khodorkovsky and did not back the businessman into a corner, Russian daily Kommersant said on Monday.
"He [Khodorkovsky] is serving a well-deserved punishment," Putin told Kommersant. "When he is released he will be a free man," he added. "I certainly did not back him into a corner."
Putin said he was surprised when he found out about new charges against Khodorkovsky.
"When I found out about the second case, [I] was very surprised and asked what the case was as he is already serving his term," Putin said. "However as new charges were brought then there is a need for them from a legal point of view," the premier said. "I am not conducting this case," he added.