UK Deputy Prime Minister Calls for Action After Meeting Khodorkovsky Family
On Thursday February 9, 2012, the mother and son of Russia's most famous political prisoner, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, met with the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, to discuss his case and to add British support in securing his release.
In the meeting, Marina Khodorkovskaya and her grandson, Pavel Khodorkovsky, encouraged the UK Government to take measures to restrict visa access and to freeze the UK based assets of corrupt officials abusing human rights in Russia.
After the meeting Marina Khodorkovskaya said: "I am exceptionally grateful not just to the Deputy Prime Minister for taking the time to meet with us, but also to all politicians and NGOs in the UK who recognize that my son is a political prisoner and have condemned his persecution. My husband and I are not young anymore and we fear that we may not live to see the day our son is finally released. But for as long as we are alive we will continue to fight to see him free. I urge the UK Government to take strong measures to show those involved in my son's persecution that their actions will not be tolerated."
The Khodorkovsky family also urged the UK Government to exercise caution in welcoming the outcome of the forthcoming Russian Presidential elections. The growing Russian opposition movement fears that the words of western Governments following the elections might give Putin the veil of legitimacy despite these elections being a scam.
Khodorkovsky's son Pavel said: "My father has always had a strong affinity to the culture of the UK, your institutions and parliamentary traditions - but most importantly your values as the birthplace of liberal democracy. Having just met with the Deputy Prime Minister it is clear that these values are still thriving today. From the imprisonment of my father, to the fraudulent Duma elections, it is clear that the regime in Russia could not be further from these values. Everyone must now recognize this regime for what it is - a corrupt and illegitimate autocracy that does not enjoy the support of its people anymore."
After meeting the family the British Deputy Prime Minister Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP said: "Marina Khodorkovskaya makes an eloquent case for her son and for political reform in Russia. Mikhail Khodorkovsky's experience has revealed serious flaws in the judicial process and his campaign has rightly attracted international attention.
"We have serious concerns about the legal processes used to convict Mikhail Khodorkovsky. President Medvedev has previously said that he intends to focus on the need to strengthen the rule of law in Russia, including tackling corruption and promoting the independence of the judiciary. Clearly, Russia needs to demonstrate progress against those commitments."