US Senators Submit Resolution on Khodorkovsky and Lebedev
US Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) submitted a bipartisan resolution condemning the politically-motivated trial of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev.
The resolution calls on the Senate to recognize the following:
(1) Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev are prisoners who have been denied basic due process rights under international law for political reasons;
(2) in light of the record of selective prosecution, politicization, and abuse of process involved in their cases, and as a demonstration of Russia's commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, the new criminal charges brought by Russian authorities against Mr. Khodorkovsky and Mr. Lebedev should be withdrawn;
(3) the standing of the Russian Federation as a nation supporting democracy, freedom of expression, an independent judiciary, human rights, and the rule of law would move closer to validation by paroling Mr. Khodorkovsky and Mr. Lebedev, both of whom have served more than half their sentences; and
(4) the Russian Federation is encouraged to take these actions to support democratic principles and human rights in furtherance of a new and more positive relationship between the United States and Russia and a new era of mutual cooperation.