BIOGRAPHY www.khodorkovsky.com SUMMARY BIOGRAPHY

Mikhail Khodorkovsky is a Russian philanthropist who has dedicated his life to promoting the values of a liberal democracy in his home country. Imprisoned by ’s regime, he was one of the longest serving political prisoners in modern .

Prior to his arrest in October 2003, Khodorkovsky was the head of , one of Russia’s largest oil producers. Khodorkovsky transformed what was an outdated Soviet enterprise, introducing modern and transparent standards, and developing the company into one of Russia’s most successful companies. declared the two men ‘prisoners of A leading businessman, Khodorkovsky conscience.’ was also an increasingly outspoken critic Khodorkovsky wrote extensively about of corruption in Russian life, and the the injustices he saw in prison and about authoritarian direction of Russian politics. his vision for Russia, which turned him To that end, he began funding opposition into a leading political commentator in parties, and established the Russia and a worldwide gure. Foundation, a non-governmental organisation promoting a strong and In December 2013, shortly before the e ective civil society. Sochi , Khodorkovsky was unexpectedly Having become the most outspoken critic pardoned. Upon his release he declared of the Putin regime, Khodorkovsky was that he would continue with his support arrested and charged with fraud and tax of political prisoners and the cause of civil evasion. He was sentenced to nine years society in Russia. In September 2014, in prison, increased to eleven years after a Khodorkovsky launched the Open Russia second trial. The two trials were criticized movement, with the aim of uniting as unfair and politically motivated by Russian citizens in support of the rule of Russian and international commentators law, free and fair elections, and a strong alike; and in 2011, civil society. EARLY YEARS

Mikhail Khodorkovsky was born on June 26, 1963, the only child of Marina and Boris Khodorkovsky, who worked as chemical engineers at an industrial tool plant. He followed in the footsteps of his parents, studying at ’s Mendeleev Institute of Chemical Technologies.

From a young age, Khodorkovsky saw the importance of modernising Russia’s increasingly outmoded technological and scientic infrastructure; and in 1987, at the age of 24, he founded the Youth Centre for Scientic and Technical Development, to provide market research to large manufacturers and introduce them to new technologies. In 1989, following the development of a successful import-export business, Khodorkovsky acquired a banking licence, and with several business partners formed , one of the rst commercial banks in Russia. Subsequently, Khodorkovsky and his business partners established Rosprom, a diversied holding company, precursor of Group Menatep Limited (GML). annual “Entrepreneur of the Year” prize. Yukos was the envy of Khodorkovsky’s peers and many of his contemporaries began plotting the “Yukosisation” of their own companies. Shares in Yukos could be acquired not only in Russia but also on the major stock exchanges of Europe and Khodorkovsky launched his rst civic project in 1994, founding the Podmoskovny Lyceum the United States (Yukos was considering on the outskirts of Moscow. The lyceum’s mission is to provide a rigorous education to a full oatation on the New York Stock underprivileged children – in particular orphans, victims of terrorism, and children of Exchange). By mid 2003, a merger with military servicemen. Run by highly qualied sta dedicated to creating a caring Sibneft had been agreed, and talks for atmosphere, and to providing the best opportunities for each child, the goal of the selling a major stake to Exxon Mobil or lyceum is to ensure that by the end of their time there, the children are ready and able to Chevron were well advanced. qualify for a state grant to attend higher education in Russia. By 2003, Yukos and its subsidiaries had a From the rst, for Khodorkovsky, philanthropy had always been about the improvement market capitalisation of $21 billion, and of people’s lives. But the experience of the 1998 crisis had profoundly changed the 1990s, including the prospect of a produced 20 per cent of Russia’s oil – the Khodorkovsky’s outlook. As a successful business leader and patriot (he had been an return to power of the communist party equivalent of 2 per cent of world enthusiastic member of the in his youth), he came to believe that he had a in the 1996 presidential election. In the production. The company had become responsibility to help develop Russian society at a more fundamental level. After 1998, he months prior to the election, according to the second-largest taxpayer in Russia polls, President lagged far after the state gas monolith , behind communist leader Gennady contributing 4.1 per cent of the Russian Zyuganov, who had announced that he federal budget. would reverse privatisations if elected. President Putin himself congratulated Although in the end Yeltsin was Yukos on its 10th birthday in 2003. He was re-elected, matters for Yukos worsened quoted as saying: “Competently with the 1998 Russian nancial crisis. The employing modern scientic and price of oil was $8 per barrel, and the technical achievements, Yukos is YUKOS production cost was $12 per barrel. condently moving on a trajectory of Demand on the domestic oil market stable growth.” plummeted and exports were blocked. With the collapse of the in 1991, Russia was left with huge state-owned There was no money to pay salaries or to industries, many of them run by ine ective ‘red managers’ resistant to modernisation, and pay down debts. plagued by corruption and organised crime. With his partners, Khodorkovsky In 1996, Khodorkovsky and his business partners invested in a majority stake in Yukos at a implemented an historic turnaround cost of $309 million, the price set by the state in the privatisation process under the Yeltsin based on best international business administration’s ‘loans for shares’ programme, through which investors lent the state practice – looking for eciencies money in return for the right to purchase state assets. At the time, Yukos did not look to be wherever possible. In the span of just a such a wonderful deal. Saddled with debts of between $2-3 billion (read more in The few years, they reduced per barrel costs to Yukos Library), Yukos was producing just half a million barrels of oil per day, compared to $1.5 and increased production to over the 1.4 million barrels it had been pumping in 1987, at a cost of up to $12 per barrel, which one million barrels per day. was more than the then selling price. In 2002, , Russia’s leading business daily, jointly published by the Russia prohibited foreign investors from acquiring assets in its oil industry. In fact, few and the Wall Street investors had any appetite for Russian assets due to the many risks inherent in Russia in Journal, awarded Khodorkovsky its

thus expanded his own philanthropic young people, based on the values and activities, and also Yukos’s corporate practices of democracy, civil society, and social responsibility programmes. Indeed, market economics; and funding for a Yukos became Russia’s leader in the eld, “Russian Booker Prize” for literature. In with a particular focus on supporting addition to such programmes, Open schools, hospitals, and libraries in Russia was amongst the few communities where the company domestically-funded organisations that operated. Yukos helped to fund made grants to employee mortgages and o ered organisations. generous resettlement grants. In 2002, Yukos was recognised by the Russian In 2003, Yukos pledged $100 million in government as the “Best Company for support, over the course of a decade, for Compensation and Social Payments the Moscow State Humanities University. Programmes” and for “Implementation of In the same year, Khodorkovsky also Social Programmes at Enterprises and provided a major endowment to support Organisations.” the Khodorkovsky Foundation, a UK-registered charity that provides As part of Khodorkovsky’s commitment scholarships for higher education, and to developing Russia’s global links, in makes donations to educational 2001, Yukos also funded the United States establishments. The Khodorkovsky Library of Congress with a grant of $1 Foundation’s endowment ranks it million, earmarked for a Russian rule of amongst the largest of such charities law programme called Open World, to operating in Russia, and today it o er fellowships for Russian scholars and continues to provide support for Russia’s students with leadership potential. students and educational establishments. The Foundation also supports the And in 2001, Khodorkovsky and Yukos Oxford-Russia Fund, which has provided shareholders also created the nancial support and scholarships for Yukos-funded Open Russia Foundation, Russian students to study at the with a view towards sustainably building University of Oxford. and strengthening civil society in Russia. Funds were disbursed through Following Khodorkovsky’s arrest in 2003, philanthropic programmes and the Russian authorities launched a competitive grant programmes in a wide concerted campaign against his variety of educational, cultural, and social philanthropic legacy. Open Russia, by spheres. Programmes included the then, one of Russia’s largest foundations, Federation for Internet Education, donating approximately $15 million per establishing training centres across the year to a wide variety of civic and country to teach schoolteachers to use charitable groups and institutions, was computers and access the Internet; a closed down by the authorities in 2006. programme in partnership with the And in order to discourage enrolment at Ministry of Culture and Mass the Podmoskovny Lyceum, Russian Communications, and professional authorities targeted the guardians of library associations, to support the students with large tax assessments modernisation of rural libraries through based on the value of schooling received; computers, Internet access and training; a and also harassed the Lyceum’s “New Civilisation” programme aimed at administration. annual “Entrepreneur of the Year” prize. Yukos was the envy of Khodorkovsky’s peers and many of his contemporaries began plotting the “Yukosisation” of their own companies. Shares in Yukos could be acquired not only in Russia but also on the major stock exchanges of Europe and Khodorkovsky launched his rst civic project in 1994, founding the Podmoskovny Lyceum the United States (Yukos was considering on the outskirts of Moscow. The lyceum’s mission is to provide a rigorous education to a full oatation on the New York Stock underprivileged children – in particular orphans, victims of terrorism, and children of Exchange). By mid 2003, a merger with military servicemen. Run by highly qualied sta dedicated to creating a caring Sibneft had been agreed, and talks for atmosphere, and to providing the best opportunities for each child, the goal of the selling a major stake to Exxon Mobil or lyceum is to ensure that by the end of their time there, the children are ready and able to Chevron were well advanced. qualify for a state grant to attend higher education in Russia. By 2003, Yukos and its subsidiaries had a From the rst, for Khodorkovsky, philanthropy had always been about the improvement market capitalisation of $21 billion, and of people’s lives. But the experience of the 1998 crisis had profoundly changed the 1990s, including the prospect of a produced 20 per cent of Russia’s oil – the Khodorkovsky’s outlook. As a successful business leader and patriot (he had been an return to power of the communist party equivalent of 2 per cent of world enthusiastic member of the Komsomol in his youth), he came to believe that he had a in the 1996 presidential election. In the production. The company had become responsibility to help develop Russian society at a more fundamental level. After 1998, he months prior to the election, according to the second-largest taxpayer in Russia polls, President Boris Yeltsin lagged far after the state gas monolith Gazprom, behind communist leader Gennady contributing 4.1 per cent of the Russian Zyuganov, who had announced that he federal budget. YUKOS would reverse privatisations if elected. President Putin himself congratulated Although in the end Yeltsin was Yukos on its 10th birthday in 2003. He was re-elected, matters for Yukos worsened quoted as saying: “Competently with the 1998 Russian nancial crisis. The employing modern scientic and price of oil was $8 per barrel, and the technical achievements, Yukos is production cost was $12 per barrel. condently moving on a trajectory of Demand on the domestic oil market stable growth.” plummeted and exports were blocked. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia was left with huge state-owned There was no money to pay salaries or to industries, many of them run by ine ective ‘red managers’ resistant to modernisation, and pay down debts. plagued by corruption and organised crime. With his partners, Khodorkovsky In 1996, Khodorkovsky and his business partners invested in a majority stake in Yukos at a implemented an historic turnaround cost of $309 million, the price set by the state in the privatisation process under the Yeltsin based on best international business administration’s ‘loans for shares’ programme, through which investors lent the state practice – looking for eciencies money in return for the right to purchase state assets. At the time, Yukos did not look to be wherever possible. In the span of just a such a wonderful deal. Saddled with debts of between $2-3 billion (read more in The few years, they reduced per barrel costs to Yukos Library), Yukos was producing just half a million barrels of oil per day, compared to $1.5 and increased production to over the 1.4 million barrels it had been pumping in 1987, at a cost of up to $12 per barrel, which one million barrels per day. was more than the then selling price. In 2002, Vedomosti, Russia’s leading business daily, jointly published by the Russia prohibited foreign investors from acquiring assets in its oil industry. In fact, few Financial Times and the Wall Street investors had any appetite for Russian assets due to the many risks inherent in Russia in Journal, awarded Khodorkovsky its

thus expanded his own philanthropic young people, based on the values and activities, and also Yukos’s corporate practices of democracy, civil society, and social responsibility programmes. Indeed, market economics; and funding for a Yukos became Russia’s leader in the eld, “Russian Booker Prize” for literature. In with a particular focus on supporting addition to such programmes, Open schools, hospitals, and libraries in Russia was amongst the few communities where the company domestically-funded organisations that operated. Yukos helped to fund made grants to human rights employee mortgages and o ered organisations. generous resettlement grants. In 2002, Yukos was recognised by the Russian In 2003, Yukos pledged $100 million in government as the “Best Company for support, over the course of a decade, for Compensation and Social Payments the Moscow State Humanities University. Programmes” and for “Implementation of In the same year, Khodorkovsky also Social Programmes at Enterprises and provided a major endowment to support Organisations.” the Khodorkovsky Foundation, a UK-registered charity that provides As part of Khodorkovsky’s commitment scholarships for higher education, and to developing Russia’s global links, in makes donations to educational 2001, Yukos also funded the United States establishments. The Khodorkovsky Library of Congress with a grant of $1 Foundation’s endowment ranks it million, earmarked for a Russian rule of amongst the largest of such charities law programme called Open World, to operating in Russia, and today it o er fellowships for Russian scholars and continues to provide support for Russia’s students with leadership potential. students and educational establishments. The Foundation also supports the And in 2001, Khodorkovsky and Yukos Oxford-Russia Fund, which has provided shareholders also created the nancial support and scholarships for Yukos-funded Open Russia Foundation, Russian students to study at the with a view towards sustainably building University of Oxford. and strengthening civil society in Russia. Funds were disbursed through Following Khodorkovsky’s arrest in 2003, philanthropic programmes and the Russian authorities launched a competitive grant programmes in a wide concerted campaign against his variety of educational, cultural, and social philanthropic legacy. Open Russia, by spheres. Programmes included the then, one of Russia’s largest foundations, Federation for Internet Education, donating approximately $15 million per establishing training centres across the year to a wide variety of civic and country to teach schoolteachers to use charitable groups and institutions, was computers and access the Internet; a closed down by the authorities in 2006. programme in partnership with the And in order to discourage enrolment at Ministry of Culture and Mass the Podmoskovny Lyceum, Russian Communications, and professional authorities targeted the guardians of library associations, to support the students with large tax assessments modernisation of rural libraries through based on the value of schooling received; computers, Internet access and training; a and also harassed the Lyceum’s “New Civilisation” programme aimed at administration. PHILANTHROPY

Khodorkovsky launched his rst civic project in 1994, founding the Podmoskovny Lyceum on the outskirts of Moscow. The lyceum’s mission is to provide a rigorous education to underprivileged children – in particular orphans, victims of terrorism, and children of military servicemen. Run by highly qualied sta dedicated to creating a caring atmosphere, and to providing the best opportunities for each child, the goal of the lyceum is to ensure that by the end of their time there, the children are ready and able to qualify for a state grant to attend higher education in Russia.

From the rst, for Khodorkovsky, philanthropy had always been about the improvement of people’s lives. But the experience of the 1998 crisis had profoundly changed Khodorkovsky’s outlook. As a successful business leader and patriot (he had been an enthusiastic member of the Komsomol in his youth), he came to believe that he had a responsibility to help develop Russian society at a more fundamental level. After 1998, he

thus expanded his own philanthropic young people, based on the values and activities, and also Yukos’s corporate practices of democracy, civil society, and social responsibility programmes. Indeed, market economics; and funding for a Yukos became Russia’s leader in the eld, “Russian Booker Prize” for literature. In with a particular focus on supporting addition to such programmes, Open schools, hospitals, and libraries in Russia was amongst the few communities where the company domestically-funded organisations that operated. Yukos helped to fund made grants to human rights employee mortgages and o ered organisations. generous resettlement grants. In 2002, Yukos was recognised by the Russian In 2003, Yukos pledged $100 million in government as the “Best Company for support, over the course of a decade, for Compensation and Social Payments the Moscow State Humanities University. Programmes” and for “Implementation of In the same year, Khodorkovsky also Social Programmes at Enterprises and provided a major endowment to support Organisations.” the Khodorkovsky Foundation, a UK-registered charity that provides As part of Khodorkovsky’s commitment scholarships for higher education, and to developing Russia’s global links, in makes donations to educational 2001, Yukos also funded the United States establishments. The Khodorkovsky Library of Congress with a grant of $1 Foundation’s endowment ranks it million, earmarked for a Russian rule of amongst the largest of such charities law programme called Open World, to operating in Russia, and today it o er fellowships for Russian scholars and continues to provide support for Russia’s students with leadership potential. students and educational establishments. The Foundation also supports the And in 2001, Khodorkovsky and Yukos Oxford-Russia Fund, which has provided shareholders also created the nancial support and scholarships for Yukos-funded Open Russia Foundation, Russian students to study at the with a view towards sustainably building University of Oxford. and strengthening civil society in Russia. Funds were disbursed through Following Khodorkovsky’s arrest in 2003, philanthropic programmes and the Russian authorities launched a competitive grant programmes in a wide concerted campaign against his variety of educational, cultural, and social philanthropic legacy. Open Russia, by spheres. Programmes included the then, one of Russia’s largest foundations, Federation for Internet Education, donating approximately $15 million per establishing training centres across the year to a wide variety of civic and country to teach schoolteachers to use charitable groups and institutions, was computers and access the Internet; a closed down by the authorities in 2006. programme in partnership with the And in order to discourage enrolment at Ministry of Culture and Mass the Podmoskovny Lyceum, Russian Communications, and professional authorities targeted the guardians of library associations, to support the students with large tax assessments modernisation of rural libraries through based on the value of schooling received; computers, Internet access and training; a and also harassed the Lyceum’s “New Civilisation” programme aimed at administration. Khodorkovsky launched his rst civic project in 1994, founding the Podmoskovny Lyceum on the outskirts of Moscow. The lyceum’s mission is to provide a rigorous education to underprivileged children – in particular orphans, victims of terrorism, and children of military servicemen. Run by highly qualied sta dedicated to creating a caring atmosphere, and to providing the best opportunities for each child, the goal of the lyceum is to ensure that by the end of their time there, the children are ready and able to qualify for a state grant to attend higher education in Russia.

From the rst, for Khodorkovsky, philanthropy had always been about the improvement of people’s lives. But the experience of the 1998 crisis had profoundly changed Khodorkovsky’s outlook. As a successful business leader and patriot (he had been an enthusiastic member of the Komsomol in his youth), he came to believe that he had a responsibility to help develop Russian society at a more fundamental level. After 1998, he

thus expanded his own philanthropic young people, based on the values and activities, and also Yukos’s corporate practices of democracy, civil society, and social responsibility programmes. Indeed, market economics; and funding for a Yukos became Russia’s leader in the eld, “Russian Booker Prize” for literature. In with a particular focus on supporting addition to such programmes, Open schools, hospitals, and libraries in Russia was amongst the few communities where the company domestically-funded organisations that operated. Yukos helped to fund made grants to human rights employee mortgages and o ered organisations. generous resettlement grants. In 2002, Yukos was recognised by the Russian In 2003, Yukos pledged $100 million in government as the “Best Company for support, over the course of a decade, for Compensation and Social Payments the Moscow State Humanities University. Programmes” and for “Implementation of In the same year, Khodorkovsky also Social Programmes at Enterprises and provided a major endowment to support Organisations.” the Khodorkovsky Foundation, a UK-registered charity that provides As part of Khodorkovsky’s commitment scholarships for higher education, and to developing Russia’s global links, in makes donations to educational 2001, Yukos also funded the United States establishments. The Khodorkovsky Library of Congress with a grant of $1 Foundation’s endowment ranks it

PHILANTHROPY million, earmarked for a Russian rule of amongst the largest of such charities law programme called Open World, to operating in Russia, and today it o er fellowships for Russian scholars and continues to provide support for Russia’s students with leadership potential. students and educational establishments. The Foundation also supports the And in 2001, Khodorkovsky and Yukos Oxford-Russia Fund, which has provided shareholders also created the nancial support and scholarships for Yukos-funded Open Russia Foundation, Russian students to study at the with a view towards sustainably building University of Oxford. and strengthening civil society in Russia. Funds were disbursed through Following Khodorkovsky’s arrest in 2003, philanthropic programmes and the Russian authorities launched a competitive grant programmes in a wide concerted campaign against his variety of educational, cultural, and social philanthropic legacy. Open Russia, by spheres. Programmes included the then, one of Russia’s largest foundations, Federation for Internet Education, donating approximately $15 million per establishing training centres across the year to a wide variety of civic and country to teach schoolteachers to use charitable groups and institutions, was computers and access the Internet; a closed down by the authorities in 2006. programme in partnership with the And in order to discourage enrolment at Ministry of Culture and Mass the Podmoskovny Lyceum, Russian Communications, and professional authorities targeted the guardians of library associations, to support the students with large tax assessments modernisation of rural libraries through based on the value of schooling received; computers, Internet access and training; a and also harassed the Lyceum’s “New Civilisation” programme aimed at administration. Khodorkovsky launched his rst civic project in 1994, founding the Podmoskovny Lyceum on the outskirts of Moscow. The lyceum’s mission is to provide a rigorous education to underprivileged children – in particular orphans, victims of terrorism, and children of military servicemen. Run by highly qualied sta dedicated to creating a caring atmosphere, and to providing the best opportunities for each child, the goal of the lyceum is to ensure that by the end of their time there, the children are ready and able to qualify for a state grant to attend higher education in Russia.

From the rst, for Khodorkovsky, philanthropy had always been about the improvement of people’s lives. But the experience of the 1998 crisis had profoundly changed Khodorkovsky’s outlook. As a successful business leader and patriot (he had been an enthusiastic member of the Komsomol in his youth), he came to believe that he had a responsibility to help develop Russian society at a more fundamental level. After 1998, he

thus expanded his own philanthropic young people, based on the values and corruption cost the Russian economy activities, and also Yukos’s corporate practices of democracy, civil society, and over $30 billion per year. He said that the social responsibility programmes. Indeed, market economics; and funding for a administration “must be willing to show Yukos became Russia’s leader in the eld, “Russian Booker Prize” for literature. In its readiness to get rid of some odious with a particular focus on supporting addition to such programmes, Open gures” in the regime, to prove its schools, hospitals, and libraries in Russia was amongst the few readiness and ability to combat communities where the company domestically-funded organisations that corruption. An angry President Putin operated. Yukos helped to fund made grants to human rights would have none of it, and replied with employee mortgages and o ered organisations. clear threats to Khodorkovsky, suddenly generous resettlement grants. In 2002, questioning the legitimacy of Yukos’s Yukos was recognised by the Russian In 2003, Yukos pledged $100 million in growth. government as the “Best Company for support, over the course of a decade, for Compensation and Social Payments the Moscow State Humanities University. Khodorkovsky had now become a public Programmes” and for “Implementation of In the same year, Khodorkovsky also irritant and powerful opponent of Social Programmes at Enterprises and provided a major endowment to support introduction of corporate transparency, Kremlin policies. And Yukos had become Organisations.” the Khodorkovsky Foundation, a the adoption of western accounting too attractive an asset for predators to UK-registered charity that provides standards, the hiring of western resist expropriating. As part of Khodorkovsky’s commitment scholarships for higher education, and management, the creation of an to developing Russia’s global links, in makes donations to educational independent board of directors with a It was in 2003 that the attack on Yukos 2001, Yukos also funded the United States establishments. The Khodorkovsky corporate governance sub-committee, began; a combination of spurious back Library of Congress with a grant of $1 Foundation’s endowment ranks it growth through mergers and tax claims, asset freezing orders, the million, earmarked for a Russian rule of amongst the largest of such charities acquisitions, and increased western manipulation of legal procedures, and the law programme called Open World, to operating in Russia, and today it investments. But at a time when more imposition of unrealistic tax payment o er fellowships for Russian scholars and continues to provide support for Russia’s and more questions were being raised in deadlines ultimately led to the seizure of students with leadership potential. students and educational establishments. public about the opaque way in which Yukos’s crown jewel production asset, The Foundation also supports the state companies were being run, these Yuganskneftegaz (YNG), in June 2004. By And in 2001, Khodorkovsky and Yukos Oxford-Russia Fund, which has provided actions marked Khodorkovsky as an 2007 the destruction of Yukos was shareholders also created the nancial support and scholarships for outspoken leader who was pro-Western; complete. Yukos-funded Open Russia Foundation, Russian students to study at the and challenged in particular the with a view towards sustainably building University of Oxford. non-transparent means by which For more about Yukos click Here and strengthening civil society in Russia. government and business operated in the Funds were disbursed through Following Khodorkovsky’s arrest in 2003, key Russian energy sector. These For more details on the history of the philanthropic programmes and the Russian authorities launched a FALLING AFOUL innovative, modern practices, along with Yukos cases, please visit The Yukos competitive grant programmes in a wide concerted campaign against his the possibility of GML selling a major Library. variety of educational, cultural, and social philanthropic legacy. Open Russia, by OF THE KREMLIN stake to either Exxon Mobil or Chevron, spheres. Programmes included the then, one of Russia’s largest foundations, deeply unsettled the Kremlin. Federation for Internet Education, donating approximately $15 million per establishing training centres across the year to a wide variety of civic and Since the late 1990s, Khodorkovsky had delivering speeches on the need to In 2002 and 2003, Khodorkovsky became country to teach schoolteachers to use charitable groups and institutions, was taken steps to transform Yukos according develop civil society, and on the increasingly outspoken about the computers and access the Internet; a closed down by the authorities in 2006. to western business models, while at the importance of Russia transitioning country’s rampant corruption and on the programme in partnership with the And in order to discourage enrolment at same time increasing his political advoca- towards a vibrant democratic state with need to create a more robust civil society. Ministry of Culture and Mass the Podmoskovny Lyceum, Russian cy activities, including numerous trips checks and balances between the On February 19, in a televised meeting Communications, and professional authorities targeted the guardians of abroad for speaking engagements on branches of power. between President Putin and the Russian library associations, to support the students with large tax assessments governance issues in Russia. Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, modernisation of rural libraries through based on the value of schooling received; In terms of improving the corporate Khodorkovsky gave a presentation about computers, Internet access and training; a and also harassed the Lyceum’s Disturbed at the way in which Russia was governance of Yukos to international the state of corruption in Russia. He cited “New Civilisation” programme aimed at administration. becoming a steadily more authoritarian standards, these steps included the numerous statistics showing that Khodorkovsky launched his rst civic project in 1994, founding the Podmoskovny Lyceum on the outskirts of Moscow. The lyceum’s mission is to provide a rigorous education to underprivileged children – in particular orphans, victims of terrorism, and children of military servicemen. Run by highly qualied sta dedicated to creating a caring atmosphere, and to providing the best opportunities for each child, the goal of the lyceum is to ensure that by the end of their time there, the children are ready and able to qualify for a state grant to attend higher education in Russia.

From the rst, for Khodorkovsky, philanthropy had always been about the improvement of people’s lives. But the experience of the 1998 crisis had profoundly changed Khodorkovsky’s outlook. As a successful business leader and patriot (he had been an enthusiastic member of the Komsomol in his youth), he came to believe that he had a responsibility to help develop Russian society at a more fundamental level. After 1998, he

thus expanded his own philanthropic young people, based on the values and corruption cost the Russian economy activities, and also Yukos’s corporate practices of democracy, civil society, and over $30 billion per year. He said that the social responsibility programmes. Indeed, market economics; and funding for a administration “must be willing to show Yukos became Russia’s leader in the eld, “Russian Booker Prize” for literature. In its readiness to get rid of some odious with a particular focus on supporting addition to such programmes, Open gures” in the regime, to prove its schools, hospitals, and libraries in Russia was amongst the few readiness and ability to combat communities where the company domestically-funded organisations that corruption. An angry President Putin operated. Yukos helped to fund made grants to human rights would have none of it, and replied with employee mortgages and o ered organisations. clear threats to Khodorkovsky, suddenly generous resettlement grants. In 2002, questioning the legitimacy of Yukos’s Yukos was recognised by the Russian In 2003, Yukos pledged $100 million in growth. government as the “Best Company for support, over the course of a decade, for Compensation and Social Payments the Moscow State Humanities University. Khodorkovsky had now become a public Programmes” and for “Implementation of In the same year, Khodorkovsky also irritant and powerful opponent of Social Programmes at Enterprises and provided a major endowment to support introduction of corporate transparency, Kremlin policies. And Yukos had become Organisations.” the Khodorkovsky Foundation, a the adoption of western accounting too attractive an asset for predators to UK-registered charity that provides standards, the hiring of western resist expropriating. As part of Khodorkovsky’s commitment scholarships for higher education, and management, the creation of an to developing Russia’s global links, in makes donations to educational FALLING AFOUL OF THE KREMLIN independent board of directors with a It was in 2003 that the attack on Yukos 2001, Yukos also funded the United States establishments. The Khodorkovsky corporate governance sub-committee, began; a combination of spurious back Library of Congress with a grant of $1 Foundation’s endowment ranks it growth through mergers and tax claims, asset freezing orders, the million, earmarked for a Russian rule of amongst the largest of such charities acquisitions, and increased western manipulation of legal procedures, and the law programme called Open World, to operating in Russia, and today it investments. But at a time when more imposition of unrealistic tax payment o er fellowships for Russian scholars and continues to provide support for Russia’s and more questions were being raised in deadlines ultimately led to the seizure of students with leadership potential. students and educational establishments. public about the opaque way in which Yukos’s crown jewel production asset, The Foundation also supports the state companies were being run, these Yuganskneftegaz (YNG), in June 2004. By And in 2001, Khodorkovsky and Yukos Oxford-Russia Fund, which has provided actions marked Khodorkovsky as an 2007 the destruction of Yukos was shareholders also created the nancial support and scholarships for outspoken leader who was pro-Western; complete. Yukos-funded Open Russia Foundation, Russian students to study at the and challenged in particular the with a view towards sustainably building University of Oxford. non-transparent means by which For more about Yukos click Here and strengthening civil society in Russia. government and business operated in the Funds were disbursed through Following Khodorkovsky’s arrest in 2003, key Russian energy sector. These For more details on the history of the philanthropic programmes and the Russian authorities launched a innovative, modern practices, along with Yukos cases, please visit The Yukos competitive grant programmes in a wide concerted campaign against his the possibility of GML selling a major Library. variety of educational, cultural, and social philanthropic legacy. Open Russia, by stake to either Exxon Mobil or Chevron, spheres. Programmes included the then, one of Russia’s largest foundations, deeply unsettled the Kremlin. Federation for Internet Education, donating approximately $15 million per establishing training centres across the year to a wide variety of civic and Since the late 1990s, Khodorkovsky had delivering speeches on the need to In 2002 and 2003, Khodorkovsky became country to teach schoolteachers to use charitable groups and institutions, was taken steps to transform Yukos according develop civil society, and on the increasingly outspoken about the computers and access the Internet; a closed down by the authorities in 2006. to western business models, while at the importance of Russia transitioning country’s rampant corruption and on the programme in partnership with the And in order to discourage enrolment at same time increasing his political advoca- towards a vibrant democratic state with need to create a more robust civil society. Ministry of Culture and Mass the Podmoskovny Lyceum, Russian cy activities, including numerous trips checks and balances between the On February 19, in a televised meeting Communications, and professional authorities targeted the guardians of abroad for speaking engagements on branches of power. between President Putin and the Russian library associations, to support the students with large tax assessments governance issues in Russia. Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, modernisation of rural libraries through based on the value of schooling received; In terms of improving the corporate Khodorkovsky gave a presentation about computers, Internet access and training; a and also harassed the Lyceum’s Disturbed at the way in which Russia was governance of Yukos to international the state of corruption in Russia. He cited “New Civilisation” programme aimed at administration. becoming a steadily more authoritarian standards, these steps included the numerous statistics showing that ARREST

On July 2, 2003, Khodorkovsky’s business associate was arrested in a Moscow hospital where he was receiving treatment. He was charged with fraud and tax evasion. Many perceived this to be a warning shot red at Khodorkovsky to force him to ee the country. But, aware of the dangers, Khodorkovsky nevertheless decided to stay in Russia. He was quoted as saying that “I will not become a political exile. ”

In a predawn raid on October 25, 2003, there who sought to question him, armed Russian commandos stormed a Khodorkovsky was charged with fraud Yukos chartered plane refuelling on the and tax evasion. tarmac of a Siberian airport. Mikhail Khodorkovsky was arrested at gunpoint. Khodorkovsky’s arrest occurred just prior He was ostensibly being arrested to to Russia’s December 2003 parliamentary appear as a witness in an investigation election, and the March 2004 presidential underway in Moscow, but within hours election, thereby eliminating him from after being delivered to the authorities active engagement in the political arena. FIRST TRIAL (2004-2005)

The rst trial of Khodorkovsky and Lebedev began in June 2004 and concluded in May 2005. Independent observers noted that the defendants were subjected to injustices in the interpretation and application of Russian law, while the authorities concurrently pursued an attack on Yukos through the pretext of reassessments of the company’s tax payments. The Meshchansky Court found both men guilty of almost every charge, sentencing them to nine years in prison, a sentence subsequently reduced by the Moscow City Court to eight years during an otherwise unsuccessful appeal process in September 2005.

For more information about the First Trial please clic here SENT TO THE GULAG

After the trial and failed appeal, Khodorkovsky was sent to one of the most remote penal colonies in all of Russia, some 6,500 kilometres east of Moscow in the town of Krasnokamensk, close to Russia’s borders with China and . The Krasnokamensk penal colony is situated near a uranium mine that has contaminated the area with radioactive waste. Lebedev, meanwhile, was sent to a remote penal colony in the town of Kharp, on the Yamalo-Nenets Peninsula, above the Arctic Circle. The timing of the new charges, two years, as a result of 2011 changes to involved in the inquiry categorically announced in February 2007, ensured Russian sentencing guidelines. rejected the court’s ndings of illegality in that Khodorkovsky was behind bars Yukos’s operations and found no evidence during the December 2007 parliamentary US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said proving allegations of embezzlement or election, and the March 2008 presidential raised “serious questions about the rule . SECOND TRIAL election. of law being overshadowed by political considerations. This and similar cases In 2011 Amnesty International declared (2009-2010) This time Khodorkovsky and Lebedev have a negative impact on Russia’s both Khodorkovsky and his imprisoned were accused of embezzling the entire oil reputation for fullling its international business partner Platon Lebedev to be production of Yukos over a period of six human rights obligations and improving prisoners of conscience. “… there can no In 2007, after four years in detention, years leading up to 2003, i.e. 350 million its investment climate.” longer be any doubt that their second trial Khodorkovsky and Lebedev were to metric tons of oil worth over $25.4 billion, was deeply awed and politically become eligible for release on parole and of “laundering” the proceeds from the motivated,” said Nicola Duckworth, under Russian law, having served half of sale of this oil, i.e. over $21.4 billion. The Amnesty International’s Director for their eight‐year sentences. By then, Yukos allegations had no credible grounding Europe and Central Asia. had been largely destroyed through either in the facts described or in the legal bogus tax reassessments, forced terms invoked by prosecutors. The “For several years now these two men bankruptcy proceedings, and rigged indictment was a compendium of factual have been trapped in a judicial vortex that auctions, with the majority of its assets and legal impossibilities. Both in the answers to political not legal taken over by state-controlled . indictment and at trial, the prosecutors considerations. Today’s verdict makes it However, the Russian authorities still did failed to connect any conduct by the clear that Russia’s lower courts are unable, not want to see Khodorkovsky and defendants to any viable legal theory of or unwilling, to deliver justice in their Lebedev released. Given their eligibility criminal liability. Instead the charges were cases.” for parole in 2007, or at the latest, upon sustained purely by prosecutorial diktat completion of their eight-year sentences obeyed by the court. For more information about the second in 2011, new charges were trial please click here. manufactured, and proceedings were The second trial started in March 2009 at instigated against Khodorkovsky and Moscow’s Khamovnichesky Court. Lebedev. Khodorkovsky and Lebedev were found guilty in December 2010. Following a failed appeal in May 2011, their imprisonment was extended to 2016, which precluded their release in 2011 The International Bar Association’s Human upon completion of their initial eight-year Rights Institute had a full time observer at sentences. the second trial and concluded in their September 2011 trial observation report After two years of obstruction and delays, that the proceedings were not fair, and a supervisory appeal hearing nally took were incapable of producing clear proof place at the Moscow City Court on to sustain the verdict. Similarly, in December 20, 2012. Despite the December 2011 an ocial inquiry enormous weight of legal and factual organised by then-President Dmitry arguments undermining it, the appeal Medvedev’s own Human Rights Council judges conrmed the December 2010 identied serious and widespread guilty verdict. The hearing did, however, violations of the law in the second trial, bring forward the scheduled release date leading the Council to call for an Photo credit: /Sergei annulment of the verdict. Experts Karpukhin of both Khodorkovsky and Lebedev by The timing of the new charges, two years, as a result of 2011 changes to involved in the inquiry categorically announced in February 2007, ensured Russian sentencing guidelines. rejected the court’s ndings of illegality in that Khodorkovsky was behind bars Yukos’s operations and found no evidence during the December 2007 parliamentary US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said proving allegations of embezzlement or election, and the March 2008 presidential raised “serious questions about the rule money laundering. election. of law being overshadowed by political considerations. This and similar cases In 2011 Amnesty International declared This time Khodorkovsky and Lebedev have a negative impact on Russia’s both Khodorkovsky and his imprisoned were accused of embezzling the entire oil reputation for fullling its international business partner Platon Lebedev to be production of Yukos over a period of six human rights obligations and improving prisoners of conscience. “… there can no In 2007, after four years in detention, years leading up to 2003, i.e. 350 million its investment climate.” longer be any doubt that their second trial Khodorkovsky and Lebedev were to metric tons of oil worth over $25.4 billion, was deeply awed and politically become eligible for release on parole and of “laundering” the proceeds from the motivated,” said Nicola Duckworth, under Russian law, having served half of sale of this oil, i.e. over $21.4 billion. The Amnesty International’s Director for their eight‐year sentences. By then, Yukos allegations had no credible grounding Europe and Central Asia. had been largely destroyed through either in the facts described or in the legal bogus tax reassessments, forced terms invoked by prosecutors. The “For several years now these two men bankruptcy proceedings, and rigged indictment was a compendium of factual FALLING AFOUL OF THE KREMLIN have been trapped in a judicial vortex that auctions, with the majority of its assets and legal impossibilities. Both in the answers to political not legal taken over by state-controlled Rosneft. indictment and at trial, the prosecutors considerations. Today’s verdict makes it However, the Russian authorities still did failed to connect any conduct by the clear that Russia’s lower courts are unable, not want to see Khodorkovsky and defendants to any viable legal theory of or unwilling, to deliver justice in their Lebedev released. Given their eligibility criminal liability. Instead the charges were cases.” for parole in 2007, or at the latest, upon sustained purely by prosecutorial diktat completion of their eight-year sentences obeyed by the court. For more information about the second in 2011, new charges were trial please click here. manufactured, and proceedings were The second trial started in March 2009 at An image from the animated instigated against Khodorkovsky and Moscow’s Khamovnichesky Court. sequence in Cyril Tuschi’s Lebedev. Khodorkovsky and Lebedev were found documentary “Khodorkovsky.” guilty in December 2010. Following a failed appeal in May 2011, their imprisonment was extended to 2016, which precluded their release in 2011 The International Bar Association’s Human upon completion of their initial eight-year Rights Institute had a full time observer at sentences. the second trial and concluded in their September 2011 trial observation report After two years of obstruction and delays, that the proceedings were not fair, and a supervisory appeal hearing nally took were incapable of producing clear proof place at the Moscow City Court on to sustain the verdict. Similarly, in December 20, 2012. Despite the December 2011 an ocial inquiry enormous weight of legal and factual organised by then-President Dmitry arguments undermining it, the appeal Medvedev’s own Human Rights Council judges conrmed the December 2010 identied serious and widespread guilty verdict. The hearing did, however, violations of the law in the second trial, bring forward the scheduled release date leading the Council to call for an of both Khodorkovsky and Lebedev by annulment of the verdict. Experts SENT TO ANOTHER GULAG

In June 2011, Khodorkovsky was sent to Penal Colony No. 7, near the town of Segezha in the region of Karelia, bordering Finland. The colony is located on the west coast of Lake Vygozero, on the route of the White Sea-Baltic Canal. The canal was constructed in the Soviet era by the forced labour of gulag inmates, during which thousands of prisoners died. Meanwhile, Lebedev was transferred to Penal Colony No. 14 in the city of Velsk in the neighbouring region of Archangel.

Click here for more information about Khodorkovsky’s prison conditions at the time. Throughout Khodorkovsky’s years in “Sketches of (in)justice” in the Europe- prison, there had been many voices raised an Parliament, Brussels The event brought together world-renowned musicians, including Martha Argerich, around the world, about the injustice that Evgeny Kissin, Gidon Kremer, Mischa Maisky, Anatoli Kotscherga, and Roman Kofman had been done. The worldwide campaign On February 2, 2010, more than a hun- accompanied by the Kremerata Baltica. The organisers chose to dedicate the concert to for the release of Mikhail Khodorkovsky dred people, including members of the Khodorkovsky and Lebedev because they view the two men as “living symbols of the WORLDWIDE took many forms – in parliaments, European Parliament, Russian politicians, world’s failed hopes for and freedom of expression in Russia. They have now theatres, opera houses, on the street. The ocials from European institutions, spent almost 8 years in jail and the gross mishandling of their case has inspired imitation CAMPAIGN many events included: human rights activists and artists, attend- by corrupt ocials across Russia, spreading impunity and deepening corruption through- ed the opening of the exhibition “Sketch- out the country.” es of (in)justice” held in the European Wall Domino Parliament. The exhibition showcased some 30 courtroom sketches and paint- Kirill Nikitenko photography exhibi- 9 November 2009, commemorating the ings by di erent Russian artists, illustrat- tion “Russian Visionaries – Into the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin ing the legal battles waged against light” Wall, a large public art spectacle of falling Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebe- dominoes was set up, measuring over 1.2 dev. On March 8, 2012, a photography exhibi- km (0.75 miles), from the spot formerly tion by the well-known Moscow photog- known as Checkpoint Charlie to the Prominent guest speakers included the rapher, Kirill Nikitenko, opened in Paris, Reichstag. One of these dominoes carried former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail titled “Russian Visionaries – Into the light,” Khodorkovsky’s image, and was signed Kasyanov, Chairwoman of the European and featuring the portraits of Russian by dozens of supporters. Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human opposition leaders, including Mikhail Rights MEP Heidi Hautala and Memorial’s Khodorkovsky. Executive Director Elena Zhemkova, Solidarity concert for political freedom winner of the European Parliament’s 2009 During the opening reception, Pavel in the Gewandshaus zu Leipzig, Berlin Sakharov Prize. Khodorkovsky, head of the Institute for Modern Russia, and his mother Elena That evening, on 9 November 2009, the Mikhail Kasyanov, Russian prime minister Khodorkovskaya, curator of the exhibi- concert “Reaching out a hand – a musical under President Putin (and still in oce at tion, explained how the concept of the plea”, was presented by violinist and the time of Khodorkovsky’s and Lebedev’s exhibition had actually been invented conductor Gidon Kremer and the com- arrests in 2003), was clear in his criticism some months before the demonstrations poser Giya Kancheli, to publicise the of the current government. “Putin told me began in Moscow. plight of people ghting for the right to [the trial] was political,” and he added personal and political freedom. that, “all the charges were fabricated.” François Zimeray, French ambassador for human rights said “I was in court during The highlight of the evening was the The courtroom drawings had already the second trial [of Mikhail German premiere of Arvo Pärt’s Fourth been exhibited in Moscow and London, Khodorkovsky] and I was struck by the Symphony, dedicated to Mikhail and were later shown at the Berlin Wall strange atmosphere of the trial, with Khodorkovsky, and performed by Kremer Museum in Berlin, and then in Paris. Khodorkovsky dismantling point by point and his Kremerata Baltica. the accusations but no one listening: not Musica Liberat Concert dedicated to the prosecutor, not even the judge.” The 900 guests included politicians of the Khodorkovsky and Lebedev German and the Saxonian The exhibition was also presented in New parliament as well as representatives of The ‘Musica Liberat’ concert took place in York, Moscow and London. the City of Leipzig, Amnesty International Strasbourg on July 5, 2011. Its aim was to and the Russian human rights organisa- focus attention on the lack of human tion Memorial. rights and respect for the rule of law in Russia. Throughout Khodorkovsky’s years in “Sketches of (in)justice” in the Europe- prison, there had been many voices raised an Parliament, Brussels The event brought together world-renowned musicians, including Martha Argerich, around the world, about the injustice that Evgeny Kissin, Gidon Kremer, Mischa Maisky, Anatoli Kotscherga, and Roman Kofman had been done. The worldwide campaign On February 2, 2010, more than a hun- accompanied by the Kremerata Baltica. The organisers chose to dedicate the concert to for the release of Mikhail Khodorkovsky dred people, including members of the Khodorkovsky and Lebedev because they view the two men as “living symbols of the took many forms – in parliaments, European Parliament, Russian politicians, world’s failed hopes for rule of law and freedom of expression in Russia. They have now theatres, opera houses, on the street. The ocials from European institutions, spent almost 8 years in jail and the gross mishandling of their case has inspired imitation many events included: human rights activists and artists, attend- by corrupt ocials across Russia, spreading impunity and deepening corruption through- ed the opening of the exhibition “Sketch- out the country.” es of (in)justice” held in the European Berlin Wall Domino Parliament. The exhibition showcased some 30 courtroom sketches and paint- Kirill Nikitenko photography exhibi- 9 November 2009, commemorating the ings by di erent Russian artists, illustrat- tion “Russian Visionaries – Into the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin ing the legal battles waged against light” Wall, a large public art spectacle of falling Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebe- dominoes was set up, measuring over 1.2 dev. On March 8, 2012, a photography exhibi- km (0.75 miles), from the spot formerly tion by the well-known Moscow photog- known as Checkpoint Charlie to the Prominent guest speakers included the rapher, Kirill Nikitenko, opened in Paris, Reichstag. One of these dominoes carried former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail titled “Russian Visionaries – Into the light,” Kasyanov, Chairwoman of the European Khodorkovsky’s image, and was signed WORLDWIDE CAMPAIGN and featuring the portraits of Russian by dozens of supporters. Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human opposition leaders, including Mikhail Rights MEP Heidi Hautala and Memorial’s Khodorkovsky. Executive Director Elena Zhemkova, Solidarity concert for political freedom winner of the European Parliament’s 2009 During the opening reception, Pavel in the Gewandshaus zu Leipzig, Berlin Sakharov Prize. Khodorkovsky, head of the Institute for Modern Russia, and his mother Elena That evening, on 9 November 2009, the Mikhail Kasyanov, Russian prime minister Khodorkovskaya, curator of the exhibi- concert “Reaching out a hand – a musical under President Putin (and still in oce at tion, explained how the concept of the plea”, was presented by violinist and the time of Khodorkovsky’s and Lebedev’s exhibition had actually been invented conductor Gidon Kremer and the com- arrests in 2003), was clear in his criticism some months before the demonstrations poser Giya Kancheli, to publicise the of the current government. “Putin told me began in Moscow. plight of people ghting for the right to [the trial] was political,” and he added personal and political freedom. that, “all the charges were fabricated.” François Zimeray, French ambassador for human rights said “I was in court during The highlight of the evening was the The courtroom drawings had already the second trial [of Mikhail German premiere of Arvo Pärt’s Fourth been exhibited in Moscow and London, Khodorkovsky] and I was struck by the Symphony, dedicated to Mikhail and were later shown at the Berlin Wall strange atmosphere of the trial, with Khodorkovsky, and performed by Kremer Museum in Berlin, and then in Paris. Khodorkovsky dismantling point by point and his Kremerata Baltica. the accusations but no one listening: not Musica Liberat Concert dedicated to the prosecutor, not even the judge.” The 900 guests included politicians of the Khodorkovsky and Lebedev German Bundestag and the Saxonian The exhibition was also presented in New parliament as well as representatives of The ‘Musica Liberat’ concert took place in York, Moscow and London. the City of Leipzig, Amnesty International Strasbourg on July 5, 2011. Its aim was to and the Russian human rights organisa- focus attention on the lack of human tion Memorial. rights and respect for the rule of law in Russia. Throughout Khodorkovsky’s years in “Sketches of (in)justice” in the Europe- prison, there had been many voices raised an Parliament, Brussels The event brought together world-renowned musicians, including Martha Argerich, around the world, about the injustice that Evgeny Kissin, Gidon Kremer, Mischa Maisky, Anatoli Kotscherga, and Roman Kofman had been done. The worldwide campaign On February 2, 2010, more than a hun- accompanied by the Kremerata Baltica. The organisers chose to dedicate the concert to for the release of Mikhail Khodorkovsky dred people, including members of the Khodorkovsky and Lebedev because they view the two men as “living symbols of the took many forms – in parliaments, European Parliament, Russian politicians, world’s failed hopes for rule of law and freedom of expression in Russia. They have now theatres, opera houses, on the street. The ocials from European institutions, spent almost 8 years in jail and the gross mishandling of their case has inspired imitation many events included: human rights activists and artists, attend- by corrupt ocials across Russia, spreading impunity and deepening corruption through- ed the opening of the exhibition “Sketch- out the country.” es of (in)justice” held in the European Berlin Wall Domino Parliament. The exhibition showcased some 30 courtroom sketches and paint- Kirill Nikitenko photography exhibi- 9 November 2009, commemorating the ings by di erent Russian artists, illustrat- tion “Russian Visionaries – Into the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin ing the legal battles waged against light” Wall, a large public art spectacle of falling Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebe- dominoes was set up, measuring over 1.2 dev. On March 8, 2012, a photography exhibi- km (0.75 miles), from the spot formerly tion by the well-known Moscow photog- known as Checkpoint Charlie to the Prominent guest speakers included the rapher, Kirill Nikitenko, opened in Paris, Reichstag. One of these dominoes carried former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail titled “Russian Visionaries – Into the light,” Kasyanov, Chairwoman of the European Khodorkovsky’s image, and was signed WORLDWIDE CAMPAIGN and featuring the portraits of Russian by dozens of supporters. Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human opposition leaders, including Mikhail Rights MEP Heidi Hautala and Memorial’s Khodorkovsky. Executive Director Elena Zhemkova, Solidarity concert for political freedom winner of the European Parliament’s 2009 During the opening reception, Pavel in the Gewandshaus zu Leipzig, Berlin Sakharov Prize. Khodorkovsky, head of the Institute for Modern Russia, and his mother Elena That evening, on 9 November 2009, the Mikhail Kasyanov, Russian prime minister Khodorkovskaya, curator of the exhibi- concert “Reaching out a hand – a musical under President Putin (and still in oce at tion, explained how the concept of the plea”, was presented by violinist and the time of Khodorkovsky’s and Lebedev’s exhibition had actually been invented conductor Gidon Kremer and the com- arrests in 2003), was clear in his criticism some months before the demonstrations poser Giya Kancheli, to publicise the of the current government. “Putin told me began in Moscow. plight of people ghting for the right to [the trial] was political,” and he added personal and political freedom. that, “all the charges were fabricated.” François Zimeray, French ambassador for human rights said “I was in court during The highlight of the evening was the The courtroom drawings had already the second trial [of Mikhail German premiere of Arvo Pärt’s Fourth been exhibited in Moscow and London, Khodorkovsky] and I was struck by the Symphony, dedicated to Mikhail and were later shown at the Berlin Wall strange atmosphere of the trial, with Khodorkovsky, and performed by Kremer Museum in Berlin, and then in Paris. Khodorkovsky dismantling point by point and his Kremerata Baltica. the accusations but no one listening: not Musica Liberat Concert dedicated to the prosecutor, not even the judge.” The 900 guests included politicians of the Khodorkovsky and Lebedev German Bundestag and the Saxonian The exhibition was also presented in New parliament as well as representatives of The ‘Musica Liberat’ concert took place in York, Moscow and London. the City of Leipzig, Amnesty International Strasbourg on July 5, 2011. Its aim was to and the Russian human rights organisa- focus attention on the lack of human tion Memorial. rights and respect for the rule of law in Russia. German Foreign Minister Hans-Dieter “You should not regard me as a symbol Genscher, who had assisted in negotiat- that there aren’t any political prisoners ing the pardon. A few days later, he gave a left in Russia any more,” Khodorkovsky press conference at the Checkpoint Char- said during the Berlin press conference. “I lie Museum in Berlin, which was attended ask you to regard me as a symbol that by more than a hundred international when civil society wants to accomplish media. something, its e orts are capable of bringing about the release of even those Khodorkovsky issued a brief statement people that nobody ever imagined could upon his release. be released. We just need to continue to work towards the goal of ensuring that no “The issue of admission of guilt was not political prisoners remain in Russia, and raised. I would like to thank everyone who indeed in other country in the world has been following the Yukos case all either. At any rate, I fully intend to do these years for the support you provided everything I can towards achieving this to me, my family and all those who were goal.” unjustly convicted and continue to be RELEASE persecuted. I am very much looking Khodorkovsky’s release was warmly forward to the minute when I will be able welcomed by numerous international to hug my close ones and personally observers, including U.S. Secretary of Both the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin consistently commented on the case against shake hands with all my friends and asso- State John Kerry and EU High Representa- Khodorkovsky; and these comments gave no indication that his release was anything ciates. I am constantly thinking of those tive for Foreign A airs Catherine Ashton, other than a distant prospect. When it came, Khodorkovsky’s release was unexpected. who continue to remain imprisoned.” among others. On 19 December 2013, at the very end of a press conference held in the Kremlin by Presi- dent Putin, the president, in what appeared to be an o -hand remark to a reporter, men- tioned that Khodorkovsky had written a letter appealing for a pardon, citing humanitarian factors. Putin said that he was minded to grant the request.

One day later, on 20th December 2013, Mikhail Khodorkovsky was released by presiden- tial pardon. In total, he had served 3,709 days in prison (a little over 10 years), and had gone through two separate show trials.

Khodorkovsky ew directly to Berlin after the release, where he was greeted by the former German Foreign Minister Hans-Dieter “You should not regard me as a symbol Genscher, who had assisted in negotiat- that there aren’t any political prisoners ing the pardon. A few days later, he gave a left in Russia any more,” Khodorkovsky press conference at the Checkpoint Char- said during the Berlin press conference. “I lie Museum in Berlin, which was attended ask you to regard me as a symbol that by more than a hundred international when civil society wants to accomplish media. something, its e orts are capable of bringing about the release of even those Khodorkovsky issued a brief statement people that nobody ever imagined could upon his release. be released. We just need to continue to RELEASE work towards the goal of ensuring that no “The issue of admission of guilt was not political prisoners remain in Russia, and raised. I would like to thank everyone who indeed in other country in the world has been following the Yukos case all either. At any rate, I fully intend to do these years for the support you provided everything I can towards achieving this to me, my family and all those who were goal.” unjustly convicted and continue to be persecuted. I am very much looking Khodorkovsky’s release was warmly forward to the minute when I will be able welcomed by numerous international to hug my close ones and personally observers, including U.S. Secretary of Both the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin consistently commented on the case against shake hands with all my friends and asso- State John Kerry and EU High Representa- Khodorkovsky; and these comments gave no indication that his release was anything ciates. I am constantly thinking of those tive for Foreign A airs Catherine Ashton, other than a distant prospect. When it came, Khodorkovsky’s release was unexpected. who continue to remain imprisoned.” among others. On 19 December 2013, at the very end of a press conference held in the Kremlin by Presi- dent Putin, the president, in what appeared to be an o -hand remark to a reporter, men- tioned that Khodorkovsky had written a letter appealing for a pardon, citing humanitarian factors. Putin said that he was minded to grant the request.

One day later, on 20th December 2013, Mikhail Khodorkovsky was released by presiden- tial pardon. In total, he had served 3,709 days in prison (a little over 10 years), and had gone through two separate show trials.

Khodorkovsky ew directly to Berlin after the release, where he was greeted by the former RETURN TO THE PUBLIC EYE

After spending several months privately focusing on family, Khodorkovsky returned to the public eye when the conict between Russia and began to reach a dangerous threshold. On March 3, 2014 he issued a statement pleading for peace and dialogue, declar- ing his willingness to travel to any part of Ukraine to act as a mediator. By March 9, he had arrived to Ukraine and delivered a speech at Maidan before a crowd of thou- sands, where he spoke about the horrors of the violence that took place in Kiev with the consent of the Russian authori- ties. Among his many travels, Khodorkovsky “I want you to know that there is another has delivered numerous keynote speech- Russia,” he said during the Maidan speech. es, including at the Ukraine Dialogue, the “There are people there who, during Kiev Polytechnic Institute, the University those days, took to the streets to partici- of Zurich, and the 2014 pate in anti-war rallies. They did so Awards Dinner. despite arrests and many years that they will have to spend in prison. There are During his imprisonment and after his people there who value the friendship release, Khodorkovsky received several between the people of Ukraine and the distinguished honours, including the people of Russia over their personal free- Lech Walesa Award as well as the “Man of dom.” the Year” award from Gazeta Wyborcza. His book, My Fellow Prisoners, has now Khodorkovsky again returned to Ukraine been translated and published in numer- on April 24-25, where he organised along ous languages, greeted by outstanding with other public intellectuals like Lyud- critical reception. mila Ulitskaya and Yuriy Lutsenko the “Ukraine-Russia: the Dialogue” forum, On the 20th of September 2014, while also travelling on a fact-nding Khodorkovsky launched his civil society mission to the conict areas of Kharkov movement Open Russia with a live event and Donetsk in Eastern Ukraine. in Berlin and an online forum attended by thousands from across the world. For his acclaimed writings and brave AWARDS AND commitment to a free and democratic Russia, Khodorkovsky has received or has NOMINATIONS been nominated for numerous prizes.

Sakharov Prize for Journalism as an Act of Conscience

In December 2011, Khodorkovsky was among the top four nalists nominated for the Sakharov Prize for Journalism as an Act of Conscience, for his articles pub- lished in Novaya Gazeta. Since 2001, the prize has been awarded to journalists who defend the values of the eminent Soviet nuclear physicist, dissident and human rights activist . Khodorkovsky’s mother, Marina, received an honorary certicate on her son’s behalf.

Dr Rainer Hildebrandt Medal

In December 2010, Khodorkovsky was awarded the Dr Rainer Hildebrandt Medal, an international human rights award in recognition of extraordinary, non-violent commitment to human rights. Khodorkovsky won the award alongside his human rights lawyer, Yuri Schmidt, and Hungarian reformer Imre Pozsgay. The jury for the award includes, amongst others, Nobel Peace Prize Laure- ate , President of Germa- ny Joachim Gauck and former German foreign minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher. In a laudatory speech, Markus Löning, the German government’s human rights commissioner, expressed his respect for Khodorkovsky for standing for a free Russia where human rights have meaning. In a letter to Khodorkovsky, Nobel Literature Prize Laureate Herta Müller underlined that he is imprisoned because “he called for democracy in Russia” and compared his commitment to a peaceful transition with that of Chinese Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Liu Xiaobo. at a at Znamya Literary Prize Znamya In January Khodorkovsky 2010, received his correspondence a literary for prize - Lyud recipient with Russian Booker Prize which prize, annual The mila Ulitskaya. magazine Znamya by has been awarded by received was than 20 years, more for Anastasia daughter Khodorkovsky’s funds prize The Moscow. in ceremony the Podmoskovny to donated were in Koralovo. Lyceum Newsmaker of the Year the of Newsmaker InOctober 2010, Ekho Mosvky Radio of a Newsmaker the creation announced a to the title giving Award, Year of the past twenty the individual for di erent the of his arrest, 2003, the year For years. Khodorkovsky. to attributed was award Other included the murdered recipients 2006 for journalist Politkovskaya Anna architect market reform Russia’s and 1992. Gaidar for Yegor from Lech Walesa, former President of and leader of the Solidarity- move of Poland President former Walesa, Lech from

Lech Walesa Award Walesa Lech the received Walesa Lech On September 29th 2013 Mikhail son ’s European of the Week of the European Interna- Radio by France of the week” “European In 2010, Khodorkovsky May named was his imprisonment despite react, to the Kremlin his ongoing capacity force to tional for which Khodorkovsky, of a hunger strike by came after the success award The 2003. since the disrespect and of Russian ocials to attention Medvedev’s then-President drew Khodorkovsky this honour again in 2013, RFI awarded legal reforms. courts recent for his 50th birthday on June 26. following ment. Khodorkovsky was being recognized for “courage in promoting civil society values,” civil society values,” promoting in “courage for Khodorkovskyment. being recognized was and justice struggle for “unwavering and freedom of economic building foundations human dignity.” Award

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS ‘ award by by ‘ award editor Adam Michnik. Adam editor Michnik said Khodorkovsky became a symbol of truth Russia, symbol of weakness about today’s of and symbol of Russian ruling elites and courage Russian pride and honour, hope. Gazeta Wyborcza Man of the Year Man of the Wyborcza Gazeta of the 25th anniversaryOn the occasion newspaper Polish of the launch the of 2014, 9th on May Wyborcza Gazeta Mikhail Khodorkovsky presented was with Year the ‘2014 Man of the Photo Credit: Slawomir Kaminski Slawomir Credit: / Photo Gazeta Agencja

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS