Mikhail Khodorkovsky's Mother Marina Dies at 79

By The Moscow Times

Aug. 3, 2014

The late Marina Khodorkovskaya clutching a bouquet roses in 2001. Yevgeny Stetsko / Vedomosti

Former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky's mother Marina has passed away at the age of 79, New Times magazine reported Sunday.

Khodorkovskaya was reportedly surrounded by family members when she took her last breath in a Berlin clinic, including her son Mikhail.

She had been seriously ill for many years, having suffered from cancer.

After spending 10 years in jail, Khodorkovsky, one of founders of what was once Russia's biggest oil company Yukos, filed a plea directly with President Vladimir Putin last year seeking his release in light of his mother's illness.

Putin issued a decree freeing Khodorkovsky on Dec. 20, 2013.

Immediately following his release, he flew to Berlin, where he met his mother.

"Time stopped for me on Oct. 25, 2003 [the day that Khodorkovsky was detained]. My life has become a nightmare," she said in interview with the Khodorkovsky.ru website while her son was still detained in 2011. "I only wish I could live long enough to see his release," she added at the time.

Khodorkovsky currently resides in Switzerland, where he received a residence permit in late March.

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