Six Years Behind Bars: The Anniversary of Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s Imprisonment
Six years ago, on October 25, 2003, Mikhail Khodorkovsky was arrested at gunpoint in the city of Novosibirsk and placed in a detention facility in Moscow. Together with his friend Platon Lebedev, who was arrested several months earlier, Mikhail Khodorkovsky was charged and convited, in a show trial of theft, fraud and corporate and personal tax evasion. They were sentenced to eight years in a Siberian penal colony.
Over the years, Parliamentarians, academics, prominent public figures and ordinary people from around the World have noted the biased and corrupt nature of Mikhail Khodorkovsky's case and expressed concern about the state of democracy in Russia.
Just before they became eligible for parole, the Russian government again charged both men. The trial on charges of embezzlement and money laundering began in Moscow in March 2009 and is ongoing. If convicted, both men are facing up to 15 years in prison.
As Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev continue to fight for their freedom, human rights advocates decry the abject trampling of their legal rights and raise the case as evidence of the lack of respect for the Rule of Law in Russia.
Express your support and encouragement to Mr. Khodorkovsky by sending him a personal message »
Attend Public Discussions in Moscow on Friday, October 23, 2009
"Six years of imprisonment of Khodorkovsky and Lebedev: the crisis of power, judicial system and society"
To commemorate the 6-Year Anniversary of Mikhail Khodorkovsky's imprisonment, public discussions will be held at the Sakharov Centre in Moscow on Friday, October 23, 2009. Organized by the International Committee for Political Prisoners, the event will bring together leading human rights activists, as well as academics, journalists and representatives of Mikhail Khodorkovsky's legal defense team.
Speakers include:
- Lyudmila Alexeeva, Moscow Helsinki Group
- Sergei Kovalev, Andrei Sakharov Foundation
- Oleg Orlov, Memorial
- Lev Ponomarev, For Human Rights
Details:
Friday, October 23, 2009, 12:00
Andrey Sakharov Museum and Public Centre
57 Zemlyanoy Val Street, bld, Moscow, Russia
No prior accreditation is required
Attend a special concert "Reaching out a Hand"
Attend a special concert featuring the world-renowned violinist Gidon Kremer. The evening, which is entitled “Reaching out a Hand” – A Musical Plea, is dedicated to those who risk their lives to fight for the right to political and personal freedom.