Website Visitors Comment on the Khodorkovsky-Lebedev Trial
Website visitors to the Khodorkovsky and Lebedev Communications Center have shared their comments on the proceedings on the trial.
Aron Olof Manne Leonhardt
Prague, Czech Republic
"Your fight forces many people to stop for a moment and think. May you have the courage to remain strong!"
Jeffrey Andreoni
United Kingdom
"Every time someone tries to do something good for Russia, Putin kiboshes the whole thing. Is it legal to be patriotic in Russia?"
Natasha Power
Hermosa Beach, USA
"You are inspiring many more people now than you did being in charge of outstanding business. Please be calm down as much as it possible in your situation and the end will be soon."
Jaumin Jean-Louis
Switzerland
"Russia need to enter into a new phase of it's development, and time has come for the human rights to win."
Amélie Henin
France
"The trial is yet another indicator of all things rotten in Russia."
Cassius Rondon
Arlington, USA
"It is among the saddest single incident of injustice taking place in the world right now. It adds to the collective sadness. It is universally unjust. However, his strength speaks to all of us. It gives us a reason to be happy to be humans. What strength, what grace, what poetry!
It makes the Russian justice system look like it's in the early stages of evolutionary development."
Stephane Tignes
The Netherlands
"[The trial] is strengthening its [Russia's] steady path from failed democracy to tyranny."
Mark L. Davis
Lakewood, Colorado
"Thus far, despite the pathetic efforts of the totally incompetent prosecutors, the State has proven only one thing: They have no case.
The entire world is disgusted by the current trial and the rulings by the Court.
Please know that many people the world over support you and applaud your bravery. Litigate this forever!! The ECHR sees right through the farce.
I read daily the reports of the trial as well as many international publications. I have read all of the published case materials, witness statements, and electronically attended the ECHR hearings in the YUKOS vs RF case. I am current on the status of the trial and related proceedings, and have practiced law in the US for almost 30 years. As a seasoned trial lawyer I can state without reservation that this "trial" is an insult to international standards of justice and totally repugnant to my sense of fairness. The total lack of logic and reason by the prosecutor can only be understood in the context of their obeying political orders from the Kremlin.
If I have any sorrow, it is for the Judge, who obviously obeys orders from above, and must somehow try and make his absurd rulings fit the arguments made by the prosecution.
Worldwide continued publication of the falsehoods and unsupported rulings of the court, as well as the total lack of logic by the prosecution only serve to further support the inescapable conclusion that this political show trial represents the nature of doing business in the RF. To my great sadness, this has caused the world press to not respect Russia, their courts, and the government. So, to the extent that the Kremlin does not respect the Rule of Law, its international reputation suffers the same fate.
The trial is totally bogus, the prosecutor is a laughable idiot and not only does he not understand the facts (or lack thereof), he continues to make a mockery of the judicial process.
I was taught early on that the truth rings clear. Your version of the case, based on facts not innuendo, is true.
They have no case whatsoever because you have done nothing wrong.
Please keep up your strength, and know that there are many, many people the world over who support you and your cause."
Jimmy Mteus
New York City, USA
"They [Russia] allow politics to dictate their judicial policies. It's a kangaroo court. Total circus!"
Henry Clark
Washington DC, USA
"This trial is a farce because the charges are ridiculous !! How do you try a man twice; especially when his sentence is almost done. I saw the schools and orphanages that HE built with his money for his employees. This is an outrage of civilization but not surprising from Russian judiciary.
It makes the business climate and rule of law seem a joke in Russia. She can never be modern without freedom of assembly, protest rights and the TV stations being privately owned not government owned."
Magda Maria
Orlando, USA
"It is most important to understand the intentions of Mikhail Khodorkovsky to put things into perspective. From what I perceive, have read and heard this is a hard working, well educated, down to earth man with no addiction and excess behavior who tried to create prosperity for himself, his family & friends, for society. He tried to make education available also for the less fortunate and live a caring life taking responsibility. He was no threat to anyone and had no intent of escape. Yet he finds himself in prison at present.
Anyone who works with money on a bigger scale could be charged with corruption to some degree, because the money system as of today is not attached to life giving human values. It comes close to a Ponzi Pyramid scheme, a snowball system causing chain reactions that are beyond an individual's control. I suspect if Khodorkovsky had been as corrupt as we are made to think now, he would not be in prison in the first place. I believe this man should be given back his freedom and his respect in society as fast as possible. The world of today is in big trouble and needs every man with a spirit like his helping to solve the imminent problems.
To me Mikhail Khodorkovsky is a huge role model. Whenever I feel like giving up drowning in issues and negativity of this world, I think of this man who doesn't crumble and stands up for his values in all dignity and human respect no matter what."
Fela Jayanti
Bogor, Indonesia
"Seems no justice and law in Russian. There is just "Power", that remind me of a film : "Killing Field"... Be Strong and survive Mr. Khodorkovsky & Mr.Lebedev. God has something wonderful for your life. I fell sad of what happened with you. I just can support you with my praying. God bless you all."
Perry Pirdaus
Jakarta, Indonesia
"Hi...I live in Indonesia which very far away from russia, but seeing what happen on the trial (from bbc). I could feel that, this is the biggest nightmare that a citizen could have. I could hardly say something but just to pray for mr. Khodorkovsky that he can get the real justice, may you and your family have the faith and strength all the time. And may the russian goverment aware about their biggest sin. God bless you"