Russian Authorities May Soften Their Stance On Ex Yukos Head — Ombudsman
Interfax - 3.23.12 - JRL 2012-56

Moscow, 23 March: Russian human rights ombudsman Vladimir Lukin believes that the Russian authorities are still considering the issue of making things better for ex-Yukos head Mikhail Khodorkovskiy (who is serving a 13-year prison term on tax evasion, fraud and oil theft charges).

file photo"I think there is an increasing number of indications that the authorities are considering this issue, although I personally am not aware of it," Lukin told Interfax on Friday (23 March).

He went on to say that he did not know how Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev had reacted to the legal opinion presented to him by the (presidential) human rights council that the head of state is entitled to pardon any convict without the convict asking for it or admitting one's guilt.

file photoAt the same time, according to Lukin, the head of state is aware that he has the powers to do so. "I have discussed it with the president; he knows that he has this legal power. However, I don't know how events will unfold," Lukin said.

He went on to stress that easing Khodorkovskiy's lot would be beneficial for each of the sides. "I believe that the sooner humanity is shown towards Khodorkovskiy, in one form or another, the better it is for everybody, including the authorities, civil society and him too," Lukin concluded.

Keywords: Russia, Government, Politics - Russian News - Russia

file photoMoscow, 23 March: Russian human rights ombudsman Vladimir Lukin believes that the Russian authorities are still considering the issue of making things better for ex-Yukos head Mikhail Khodorkovskiy (who is serving a 13-year prison term on tax evasion, fraud and oil theft charges).

"I think there is an increasing number of indications that the authorities are considering this issue, although I personally am not aware of it," Lukin told Interfax on Friday (23 March).

He went on to say that he did not know how Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev had reacted to the legal opinion presented to him by the (presidential) human rights council that the head of state is entitled to pardon any convict without the convict asking for it or admitting one's guilt.

file photoAt the same time, according to Lukin, the head of state is aware that he has the powers to do so. "I have discussed it with the president; he knows that he has this legal power. However, I don't know how events will unfold," Lukin said.

He went on to stress that easing Khodorkovskiy's lot would be beneficial for each of the sides. "I believe that the sooner humanity is shown towards Khodorkovskiy, in one form or another, the better it is for everybody, including the authorities, civil society and him too," Lukin concluded.