Interview with Mikhail Khodorkovsky

It's hard to imagine himself free, when in. Putin points directly to the court that I ... However, even in prison, and in freedom I will continue my social work.
2. You are my last words were told that they were ready to die for their beliefs, what are they?.
I believe that Russia is a democratic country free of tyranny, corruption of officials that we will have an independent judiciary, parliament, Fair Elections. That security forces will protect the people and not corrupt bureaucracy. Only we all want to be this.
3. Fair trial or not you - it's a separate issue. But whether that power and wealth concentrated in the hands of a handful of oligarchs, many of which escape along with his good abroad, the fair?.
If the current government was really concerned about the inequitable distribution of property, back in 2003. it could accept the proposal which I made ​​on behalf of a number of my colleagues - the compensating tax. However, over the years, billionaires, close to the government, only increased their status.

4. Many people believe that you were arrested because of what you have to claim political power. Is this true? .
I have never hidden that I am against the authoritarian tendencies in politics and has always supported the opposition. B. H. Yeltsin thought it was normal. In order to. In. Putin and his regime structured around this was not acceptable. At the same time, I never sought to obtain political power, because I have other interests.


SUEDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG ( Germany).

a. Mikhail Borisovich, you said you did not expect an acquittal. However, to make any assumptions about the verdict - is almost impossible. In your opinion, what are the political forces affect the decision of the judge Danilkin? . Now you disappointed?.
The judge Danilkin pressure was continuously. However, before sentencing, it was hard and undisguised. He broke down and signed the text, which he had prepared. I'm really disappointed that President Medvedev has failed to demonstrate the fulfillment of his promises about the ...

2. If we compare the result, the provision of evidence, questioning witnesses during the first and second processes were there any differences, and if so, which ones?.
I acknowledge that the ... We were allowed to speak, and the press was allowed. However, as in the first trial, the defense was more than a limited right to call witnesses and present evidence and the prosecution openly intimidated those who came. So much so, that the investigation directly to the court refused to transfer evidence.
That is all, of course, directly contradicted the Russian legislation.

3. Your lawyers have mentioned about some proposals from the Kremlin after your arrest - that will free you, if you leave the country. But you can always deny that you made ​​such a proposal. Please explain this situation again!.
I think my lawyers misunderstood. After his arrest in 2003. No proposals have been reported to me. Before his arrest, I was really ...

4. According to Russian press, you ... Can you comment?.
I do not want to talk about what I do not know reliably. The fact that I was in the first trial accused of using the standard ( for now) the practice of tax planning. T. e. condemned by the selective application of the law.
The second charge is simply absurd. According to the verdict, not a buyer of Yukos oil from its subsidiaries, and I as individuals, ... For what, in this case, Yukos had claimed 30 billion. tax dollars, and in general - from Yukos then 15 billion. dollars in profits, the court failed to explain.

5. In his final statement in court, as well as interviews, articles and correspondence, you are like many other political prisoners and exiles people from the Decembrists to Sakharov outlined his vision of the ... You consider yourself a follower of this tradition?.
Any adequate person, entered into a direct debate with the current government, obviously, has its own vision for the future of their country. I - is no exception. As far as my views, my fate will be delivered in a number of wonderful people with the fate of Russian history - time will tell. In any case, they - those who are for me a model of good conduct.

6. And in the courtroom, and outside there are people who think you are a representative of another, the best of Russia, and may have an important political figure. What is your perception of this great hope, fed by people, while you're in prison?.
My example is important for authoritarian rule as a deterrent other opponents. As a public execution. However, public executions, there is another side: they are made of ordinary people a symbol of struggle against tyranny. What happens in my case.

7. You said that you would like to serve his country after his release. You can read more about this? .
I can not imagine their way out to freedom, when in. Putin bluntly stated that I ... At the same time, and in prison and at liberty, I will continue public work. Business - passed stage, but if my country needed my skills, and even my life - it will get them. I - Russian. We have since taken.

8. At the time of your arrest you were a very successful businessman, ... You contain a large team of lawyers and funded boarding school for orphans - for example, the children of Beslan - all the time. How long will you still be able to do this?.
In preparation for his eventual arrest, I've created a special fund that does not depend on my status, which helps to exist Lyceum. In addition, the Lyceum and other help to people caring about the fate of children.


CORRIERE DELLA SERA ( Italy).

a. Earlier you said that Russia 's democratic future, along with other advanced countries. You have reviewed your statement on the eve of the coming judgment?.
I believe in the democratic future of my country. Although the path is not simple and easy. The sentence shows where we are now. A response to a public show of our near-term prospects.

2. The prosecutor said that for those offenses which, according to prosecutors, you have committed in other countries, such as the U.S., you would have given 20 years in prison. These allegations are false?.
The court found me guilty that I was in a personal capacity stole Yukos 350 million. tons of oil. That's 20 million. tons more than Yukos produced. Channel 15 billion. Yukos dollars profit foundation to reclaim 30 billion of Yukos. tax dollars neither the prosecutor nor the court could not explain. I suppose that this is absurd in a democratic country would lead to serious consequences for the authors.

3. You called the process in your case ... Why do they keep you in jail, in your opinion?.
Perhaps in. Putin is better than us, external observers, understands how weak his grip on reality, and that would be sufficient to trigger its destruction. And perhaps they just cleverly manipulated the officials, on the looting of Yukos nazhivshiesya.

4. You - the only ... Some of the oligarchs have fled abroad, those who remain - do not touch. Do you think you feel guilty, or just the most dangerous of all?.
Obviously, those who really can be called ... e. people, united state government and big business in one person, were created in. Putin and his colleagues are. The other ... some of the persecuted. I, unfortunately, is not alone.

5. If you could turn back time, what would you change, given the fact that you happened?.
My social position would be even more active and open. And I would be able to better protect the interests of Yukos investors. The fact that the company will be destroyed and plundered, - I could not even imagine. Taken away from me - yes, assumed, but not crushed. Such a course for the authorities was evident mistake. Although, personally, many well- known perosnazhi profited.

6. You never openly criticized President. How, in your opinion, is there a difference between Medvedev and Putin? .
For me, President Medvedev is much more understandable. He - a political pragmatist who has certain ideals that are compatible with democracy. I understand his position, and therefore rarely criticize. However, some actions we can expect from him. Can you believe him? . It is important to accurately distinguish one from another.

7. Do you expect more support from Western countries and the international community?.
I expect that the international community is aware of how the recognition on his part is important for the internal legitimacy of the regime in Russia. I expect that Western countries are aware of: the prospect of a democratic Russia - not a trifle, which can be sacrificed for the sake of current interest. Today, people live long. Gratitude, or curse their own children present generation of Western politicians will hear in his lifetime. Those who supported me, my colleagues and other victims of tyranny - thanks. Everyone does what he can.

8. What are your plans after the end of sentence?.
I will continue to fight for their freedom and the freedom of their colleagues, as well as engage in public activities.

9. December 16, Putin said the murders for which convicted the former head of security for Yukos Pichugin. Are not you afraid that the next step will be - the institution of criminal proceedings against you for what you have ordered the killings. Do you believe that you ever be released?.
In. Putin, for seven years, indirectly, and the last three years - just call me guilty of murder. At first it was a strong PR- move now - only one way to keep me in custody indefinitely. The second sentence has shown that the court is ready to fulfill his every wish. What is my face? . For example, now I'm supposed to as many as four visits with his family in a year, and will be - one. I fear you? . A person can not ever be afraid. Do I believe that I was released? .

10. Nefteyugansk Mayor, Ms. Korneev... Putin said that Khodorkovsky could not have known about this... what really happened?.
What really happened? . About 30 criminal deaths per 100. 000 per year (in addition to accidents). Murders of mayors, deputies, governors, prominent journalists - are not uncommon. Suffice it to recall a. Politkovskaya. Or the deputy Yamadayev, who was murdered right under the windows of our White House. It is easy to estimate how many of these criminal events occurred during the years of my work ... It's - the same town of the same country. The rest, m. e. selection of objects in order to disguise himself, and its process - described in detail in the study ( the book) writer and court reporter Vera Vasilyeva, ... A number of people currently in prison, the court stated that they were forced to a reservation, promising liberation and referring to the ... Israeli High Court of Justice, having considered the documents to the General Prosecutor's Office against t. n. ...


LE MONDE ( France).

a. Vladimir Putin said in an interview in August Kolesnikov, what exactly did not you drove into a corner and does not conduct this business. Nevertheless, he repeatedly made ​​it clear that accuses you of killing several people. What would you say to him, whether you have the opportunity.
What should I talk to a man who a week before the sentencing court ( specifically the announcement was postponed ) not only tells the public to keep me in prison, but also explains in detail the court, what exactly should I be found guilty. Characteristically, in his speech in. Putin is quoted in one of the film characters. Vysotsky, thrown into the pocket of a suspect piece of evidence, and justifies his actions by saying that this person should sit in jail.

2. You said that in Russia again, stagnation, stagnation of the Putin era. Who do you think - the main enemy of Russia? .
Undoubtedly, the main enemy of Russia - our apathy. Putin and his comprador elite - a consequence of the lack of civil society. However, it is impossible to deny that they have done much to eliminate the germs of social organization and to destroy the democratic institutions (such as independent judiciary, electoral system ), replacing them with fictions. You can wake people up, telling them the truth and setting an example.

3. What do you expect from the West? .
Western public opinion plays a huge role in our country. Links to the West - the usual trick of our government to legitimize its actions. I welcome the fact that today many respectable people in Russia and the West have rejected excessive political correctness and just what is happening is called ...

4. What is your main message to readers in France?.
I am deeply grateful to the French Society for the attention and support. The unique historical experience shows in your country: European events are rarely isolated. The philosophy of ... Russia should become and will become a democratic European country. Any other result is acceptable.

5. How do you explain the fact that Danilkin gave you the maximum sentence as prosecutors asked for. Can you say that this is proof that President Medvedev is not able to ensure the independence of the judicial system in Russia today?.
Putin just showed me that he considers his personal opponent. I agree. However, the dependency court is no better than bandits stick. Both the ... President Medvedev with this, obviously, I agree, and takes full personal responsibility for these failures of the judicial reform.

6. After such a verdict as to whether people believe the promises of modernization and liberalization emanating from President Medvedev?.
I urge to believe in the sincerity of President Medvedev's aspirations, but not to the wishes and simulacra instead of clear commitments and working of institutions. Everything should be directly referred to in your own words and receive appropriate assessment - and ... Russia - a sovereign state, but to help, to support fraud, demonstrate respect for its corrupt officials - is immoral.

7. In your support made ​​a number of harsh statements, especially from Europe. What can the European countries to help develop the rule of law in Russia?.
In recent years, many countries were given a similar independent judicial assessment of various aspects of the Yukos affair. Processes took place in Cyprus, Great Britain, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Lithuania and m. Dr.. The Yukos affair has always recognized political persecution, and the bankruptcy of Yukos - not legal. Recently, the Stockholm Arbitration confirmed that the charges of tax evasion were the result of clearly discriminatory application of the law. Israeli prosecutors commended as ... ECHR acknowledged torture methods applied to another employee of the company, my lawyer, who was forced to testify against me. He was deprived of treatment for the deadly disease, chained to a bed. Another employee of the company - a Spanish citizen - was crippled during the investigation. I want to see - and these, and all the other brave men and women who worked at Yukos, in m. h. being thrown into prison, not made ​​a deal with his conscience, does not become false witnesses. This is important. We are hard, but we have not retreated. We are fighting for their honor and dignity, for the rule of law in their country. And grateful for any help. But the question is different: the Europeans should refer to those who create it? .

State Archives of Literature and Art posted on the Internet

In the Russian State Archive of Literature and Art ( RGALI) site appeared, conceived as an information space in which replication is represented by a single database of the largest archives at the Russian archives and collections, storage units, individual documents.

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