The anniversary of an almost significant date passed unnoticed - 15 years, as in Russia a man who was once the TOP-100 richest people in the world was arrested. He was the first among equals, headed the ten richest Russians. The arrest of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and the subsequent 10 years of familiarization with the conditions of the Russian penitentiary system may have made him morally stronger, but did not make him richer.
An unspoken ban on politics
In November 2013, the very first prisoner billionaire writes a pardon addressed to the President of the Russian Federation, citing a severe illness of his mother as an argument, and in December a decree on pardoning Mikhail Khodorkovsky appears. Apparently, this was a requirement of the Western partners, who were sure that the Russian Federation would fulfill it. Otherwise, how can one explain that upon his release, the rebellious oligarch, the rebellious oligarch flew straight to Berlin, having a Schengen visa in a foreign passport, which was issued directly in the colony?
In Berlin, during a press conference, it was announced that Mikhail Borisovich is no longer going to engage in business and politics, but intends to concentrate on the observance of human rights in prisons, assistance in the rehabilitation of those released and charitable projects. It was also stated that refusal to engage in political activities is one of the conditions for release, set by the Kremlin.
The end of loyalty
But after six months, Khodorkovsky is no longer loyal to the Russian authorities and speaks at a rally in Kiev. At the same time, the former oligarch's lawyers are launching a number of international lawsuits in order to obtain significant financial compensation from the Russian Federation, up to $ 50 billion, and are doing well in this. From this moment, Khodorkovsky's active life as an opposition politician begins.
Having access to the finances left over after the bankruptcy of Yukos and having seized the ability to dispose of foreign assets, Khodorkovsky can operate in amounts ranging from 1 to 2 billion dollars. Having invested in real estate around the world, he begins to actively support Internet projects that criticize the existing government, investigate corruption and human rights violations. The main political asset is the Open Russia Foundation with hundreds of employees.
In London and Switzerland
What about today? The Russian authorities hoped to extinguish active political activity by opening criminal cases on charges of murder and later extremism. But Interpol did not support the Russian request, and Khodorkovsky is in no hurry to appear in Russia.
Back in 2014, Mikhail Borisovich received a residence permit in Switzerland, where his children are still studying. According to people from his entourage, Khodorkovsky feels most secure in London, where he lives in a large apartment bought in the name of his son Pavel. From there, he gives frequent interviews, including to the Russian "Echo of Moscow" and "RBC", actively maintains his aggressive twitter, organizes and finances international conferences with self-explanatory names - "Russia instead of Putin". Moreover, in recent months, this activity is clearly on the rise. Perhaps Mikhail Borisovich still dreams of the Kremlin, and now there is a preliminary stage of preparation for the elections.
