Support The Moscow Times!

Russian Investigators Summon Ex-Tycoon Khodorkovsky's Father

Mikhail Khodorkovsky after his release in 2013.

The 82-year-old father of former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky has been questioned by investigators about the 1998 killing of a Siberian mayor.

Russian investigators announced in June that they were reopening the investigation of the murder of Nefteyugansk Mayor Vladimir Petukhov and considered Mikhail Khodorkovsky a prime suspect. Khodorkovsky and his associates have denied involvement in the killing.

Khodorkovsky spent 10 years in prison on charges of tax evasion and embezzlement seen as punishment for challenging President Vladimir Putin's power. Since his 2013 release, he has continued to oppose Putin from exile in Switzerland.

His father's lawyer, Sergei Badamshin, described Thursday's questioning as "shameless pressure" on Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

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.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more