Khodorkovsky, once Russia's richest man, was sentenced in 2005 to eight years in prison for tax evasion and fraud. The fate of Khodorkovsky's appeal for release, which follows new charges of embezzlement and money laundering, is seen as a test of President Dmitry Medvedev's commitment to establishing a "rule of law."
In June, Medvedev told reporters in Germany that "the procedures for a pardon are open to any and all citizens convicted of one or another crime, including Khodorkovsky."
In his appeal for early release, Khodorkovsky maintained his innocence and accused investigators of manipulating evidence in his case.
"For my own part let me add: They are falsifying the evidence, and all this is encouraged by the court's failure to intervene," he wrote in an appeal posted July 16 on his web site.
New charges filed on July 1 accused Khodorkovsky and business partner Platon Lebedev of "theft through embezzlement and the legalization of the money acquired as a result of a large-scale crime."
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.